A forest fire broke out at 9:20 PM on Sunday in Póvoa de Lanhoso and during the night spread to the neighboring municipality of Vieira do Minho. In the early morning, the fire was mobilizing around 90 operatives, 22 vehicles and two aerial resources, with two active fronts, although not threatening homes or communication routes.
By late morning, one of the fronts had been contained, but the other advanced toward Vieira do Minho, leading the firefighting force to reinforce to 93 operatives, 26 vehicles and seven aerial resources. The steep terrain and lack of access roads hindered operations, making aerial support essential. Conditions at the site were around 29 degrees and light wind of 6 km/h, with the fire contained to vegetation areas.
The fire occurs on a day of very high risk of rural fire across much of the country. More than 50 municipalities were at maximum risk and more than a hundred, including Braga, Porto, Viseu, Vila Real, Bragança and Lisbon, at very high risk due to the heat wave affecting Portugal.
