More than 700 firefighters battle three major blazes across Coimbra district
The district of Coimbra is grappling with three active wildfires this Tuesday, with 723 operatives deployed across the municipalities of Arganil, Cantanhede and Tábua, backed by 204 vehicles and 15 aerial units, according to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC). The fires have injured three firefighters, forced precautionary evacuations, and threatened several villages.
Arganil fire controlled after injuring three firefighters
The largest incident began in Murganheira, in the parish of Pombeiro da Beira, at 13h35 on Saturday. ANEPC declared it in resolution by 00h36 on Tuesday, though 375 operatives remain on the ground supported by 126 vehicles.
Three firefighters suffered minor injuries during operations. The commander of the Arganil Volunteer Firefighters was struck by a National Republican Guard (GNR) vehicle during manoeuvres, sustaining a fracture. He was transported to the Coimbra University Hospital Centre and is in stable condition. Two other firefighters received treatment for smoke inhalation.
The fire, which merged from three separate ignitions, also affected the neighbouring municipality of Góis. The vice-president of Góis council, Nuno Bandeira, confirmed that six people were evacuated from three villages as a precaution and have since returned home. The villages of Chapinheira and Vila Nova de Ceira were reported out of danger by late Saturday.
Tábua blaze threatens villages before being brought under control
A separate fire in Mouronho, in the municipality of Tábua, was reported at 15h12 on Tuesday. Flames advanced on the village of Mouronho and entered Pousadouros, but by 17h40 the area was declared free of danger and there were no homes lost, ANEPC confirmed.
At its peak, the fire fought on two active fronts with 369 operatives, 100 ground vehicles and eight aircraft. António Oliveira, the councillor for Civil Protection at Tábua council, stated the blaze began to yield and was expected to be declared dominated within two to three hours.
Cantanhede and Miranda do Corvo fires enter final phases
A third fire in Ourenta, in Cantanhede, was reported at 14h39 on Tuesday, mobilising 159 operatives and eight aerial units. By 18h00, the flames entered resolution, according to the mayor, Helena Teodósio.
Elsewhere in the district, a fire reported at 19h16 in Semide, in Miranda do Corvo, burned into the evening. By 20h30, 163 firefighters and 47 vehicles were engaged. Carlos Tavares, commander of the Coimbra Sub-Regional Civil Protection Command, confirmed that it was the only active fire in the region at that time, with other incidents in Tábua already in the consolidation and vigilance phase.
Broader context: Severe fire risk across mainland Portugal
The emergency response coincides with a period of elevated fire danger, with more than 80 municipalities across nine districts at maximum rural fire risk on Tuesday. ANEPC maintains a heightened state of readiness, with aerial surveillance units stationed across the country.
The Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) reports that 6,910 rural fires have been recorded this year through August, burning 67,130 hectares of forestland, scrub and agricultural land. Despite the recent outbreaks, 2026 has seen 15% fewer fires and 25% less burned area compared to the ten-year average.
Authorities have reminded residents in the interior to maintain defensive spaces around properties and avoid activities that could spark ignitions. Current regulations prohibit the burning of agricultural waste on days of very high or maximum fire risk.
