Forest fires continue to take a heavy toll on Portugal. On Saturday, the Portuguese Presidency announced the death of a firefighter who was seriously injured whilst fighting a fire in the municipality of Sabugal, in the north of the country. The 45-year-old man, who worked for a private fire-fighting company, died after being directly exposed to the flames.
A fourth victim of the fires in Portugal
This tragic death adds to an already heavy death toll: he is the fourth victim of the forest fires in Portugal since the start of the summer. The Presidency has expressed its condolences to the firefighter’s family and loved ones, highlighting the sacrifice made by those who risk their lives every day to protect people and the country’s land.
The 2025 summer season is proving particularly difficult for the Iberian Peninsula. Neighbouring Spain has also reported the the deaths of four people related to the fires over the past few weeks. Despite a recent drop in temperatures, which has temporarily improved the situation, many fires remain active and are requiring significant emergency resources.
Alarming areas of burnt land
According to the Portuguese Civil Protection Agency, more than 60,000 hectares have already been ravaged by fire in the country since the start of the year. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) confirms this alarming trend: around 278,000 hectares have been burnt in Portugal since January.
This is not the first time the country has suffered such disasters. In 2017, Portugal experienced a record-breaking year, with more than 563,000 hectares destroyed by fire and 119 deaths. These figures serve as a reminder of just how vulnerable the country remains to wildfires, despite the efforts made in prevention and crisis management.
Climate change: an aggravating factor
Experts point out that the Iberian Peninsula is one of the European regions most vulnerable to global warming. More intense and frequent heatwaves, combined with prolonged periods of drought, are contributing to the drying out of vegetation and making forest fires more difficult to contain. This trend is increasing the pressure on the emergency services and jeopardising the safety of communities and ecosystems.
The Portuguese authorities emphasise the need for greater vigilance and international cooperation to tackle these disasters. The memory of this firefighter who lost his life serves as a reminder of the courage and self-sacrifice of the men and women who are mobilised every summer to combat this scourge.
To keep up to date with ongoing operations, our real-time fire tracking map allows you to view the onset of fires and how they develop. You can also view the fire risk map, updated daily, so that you can find out the risk level in your department.