From the beginning of the year until 15 July 2025, a total of 3,370 rural fires have burned 10,768 hectares of land in Portugal, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF).
This figure is three times higher than that recorded in the same period in 2024, when 3,462 hectares burned.
Shrubland areas were the most affected (4,736 ha), followed by forest stands (3,762 ha) and agricultural land (2,271 ha).
When comparing the 2025 figures to the average over the past 10 years, the ICNF notes that there were 36 per cent fewer rural fires and 46 per cent less area burnt than the annual average for that period.
Portugal's fires have been more aggressive in 2025
As of 15 July, 2025 has recorded the 4th lowest number of fires in Portugal but the 5th highest amount of burned area since 2015.
Despite a sustained downward trend in the number of fires since 2017, the ICNF highlights that the fires have become more aggressive, with more than half classified as large-scale, meaning they burned more than 100 hectares.
According to the report, 22 large-scale fires were recorded, resulting in 6,112 hectares burned, which accounts for around 57 per cent of the total burnt area.
As for the causes, 2,374 rural fires were investigated (with the investigation process completed). Out of a total of 3,370 that occurred, the most frequent causes in 2025 were fires caused by arsonists (24 per cent), extensive burning of forestry or agricultural waste (13 per cent) and burning of piles of forestry or agricultural waste (11 per cent).
Évora is the most affected district in terms of burned area with 2,438 hectares, around 23 per cent of the total area burnt, followed by Beja with 2,058 hectares (19 per cent of the total) and Viana do Castelo with 1,522 hectares (14 per cent of the total).
June was the month with the highest number of rural fires, with a total of 1,251 fires - 37 per cent of the total number recorded for the year. In terms of the area burnt to date, June is also the month with the largest area burnt this year at 3,367 hectares, which corresponds to 31 per cent of the total area burnt this year.
These figures do not yet include this week's major fires, such as the one in Arouca, which has already destroyed around 4,000 hectares, according to the local authority.
Ponte da Barca, the fire is still active, with hundreds of operatives and air units on the ground and support from Spanish firefighting aircraft.
Judicial Police have already arrested 26 arson suspects
According to information published Thursday by Diário de Notícias (DN), the Polícia Judiciária has arrested 26 suspects for arson since the beginning of the year. These arrests refer exclusively to cases involving criminal behaviour.
In comparison, in the same period of fires in 2024, 20 were arrested, indicating an increase in arrests.
