According to data from the Lusa news agency, the SGIFR data indicates that the 4,592 forest fires recorded this year caused 30,155 hectares of burned area, with more than 15,000 hectares burned between July 1 and 5.

According to the SGIFR, managed by the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management, the fires consumed more area in the Central region, totalling 14,244 hectares, with the fire that started 2 July in Vouzela (Viseu) only being brought under control on 6 July, contributing to these numbers. In the northern region, the total burned area this year is 11,834 hectares. Compared with the same period in 2025, the burned area has almost quadrupled, marking the largest since 2017.

More fires registered

The number of fires has increased by about 70% this year compared to the same period in 2025, marking the highest number since 2022.

Data from SGIFR also indicate that 56% of the burned area was found on days of high fire risk.

Since last week, Portugal has recorded very high temperatures, with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) placing several districts under red alert due to the heat.