Over 2,300 firefighters are currently combating approximately 50 active wildfires across Portugal, with the northern region bearing the brunt of the blazes throughout the weekend. The most critical fires are concentrated in the provinces of Trancoso, Covilhã, and Vila Real. In Vila Real, flames encroached dangerously close to residential areas in Relva, Lordelo, and Borbela, prompting precautionary evacuations of vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly.
The wildfires forced the suspension of Sunday’s fourth stage of the Tour of Portugal cycling race in Vila Real province. Organizers halted the 183-kilometer route at the 132-kilometer mark due to fires in the Serra do Alvão mountains.
Authorities maintain maximum wildfire alerts for 123 municipalities on Monday as scorching temperatures persist in the hardest-hit areas. An additional 55 municipalities face “very high” risk, while 79 others are under “high” risk warnings.