Portugal battles devastating wildfires as Morocco and EU provide aid

Friday 22 August 2025 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Portugal battles devastating wildfires as Morocco and EU provide aid

Portugal is grappling with a series of severe wildfires sweeping across its northern and central regions, with officials confirming a third fatality since late July. Morocco has deployed Canadair airplanes to assist the firefighting efforts, while the European Union has also mobilized resources through its civil protection mechanism.

Growing death toll and firefighting efforts

A 65-year-old municipal contractor in northern Portugal became the latest victim of the fires, bringing the death toll to three. More than 2,600 firefighters have been deployed, supported by around 20 aircraft and helicopters, to combat the blazes. A significant portion of the effort is focused on the week-long fire in Arganil, central Portugal, which has destroyed large swathes of vegetation.

Moroccan Canadair planes are actively aiding firefighting operations, with plans reported to redirect some of the aircraft to assist neighboring Spain, which is also battling wildfires. Two Swedish aircraft, deployed through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism, are operating in central Portugal near Sabugal, where a forest guard suffered severe burns earlier this week.

Public criticism and government response

Criticism of the government’s fire management has intensified, with Prime Minister Luis Montenegro facing angry residents during the funeral of a firefighter who died Sunday in Covilhã. This marked the second fatality from the current fires.

State Secretary for Civil Protection Rui Rocha acknowledged the challenges posed by strong winds and rugged terrain, admitting to potential “chaos in some locations.” He assured the public that the government has been assessing fire damage from the outset to determine losses and provide aid to affected communities.

A year of record destruction

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, over 261,000 hectares of land have burned in Portugal since the start of 2025, nearly double the 143,000 hectares burned in all of 2024. The devastation recalls the catastrophic fires of 2017, which claimed 119 lives and burned more than 563,000 hectares.

Portugal’s firefighting efforts this year have drawn international support, with Morocco’s deployment of Canadair aircraft and the EU’s coordinated assistance offering crucial relief. However, the scale of destruction continues to strain national resources, amplifying calls for improved fire prevention and management strategies.