Wildfire in Alijó cuts IC5 highway, mobilises 373 firefighters by nightfall

Fire in Alijó

The fire started at 13:35 in a forested area near Agrelos, in the municipality of Alijó, Vila Real district. By late afternoon it had two active fronts burning with intensity, fuelled by light scrub and strong wind gusts. District operational commander Luís Miguel Fonseca described the vegetation as "low, light scrub" making it a "rapidly progressing fire" complicated by steep terrain. The village of Vila Verde was identified as a sensitive point, prompting preventive repositioning of resources. Earlier, six aircraft had supported the ground crews, but aerial operations ceased as daylight faded. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were repositioned throughout the afternoon to shield villages and infrastructure from the advancing flames.

Given the nature of the fuel, low light scrub, it's a rapidly progressing fire, along with strong wind gusts that are making firefighting difficult.

By 17:00, 146 operatives, 39 vehicles and eight aircraft were on scene. The number grew steadily through the evening, reaching 248 operatives and 75 vehicles by 20:35, according to ANEPC.

Escalation and road closure

At 20:00, ANEPC reported 252 operatives, 73 vehicles and seven aircraft. An hour later, the GNR of Vila Real confirmed the IC5 was cut in both directions between Pópulo and Alijó as flames neared the roadway. The closure disrupted traffic on a key route through the Douro wine region. By 22:00, the force had swelled to 373 operatives and 114 ground units. José Requeijo, second commander of the Douro sub-regional emergency and civil protection command, said the work was progressing favourably despite the extensive burned area. He expressed hope that night-time humidity and cooler temperatures would assist firefighters.

The work is progressing favourably, with great commitment, because the area is already extensive.

Earlier, the flames had approached the village of Ribalonga, where residents watered the ground to protect homes. Requeijo confirmed that no village was directly threatened by late evening.

Mafra fire nears resolution

A separate fire in the Union of Parishes of Igreja Nova and Cheleiros, Mafra, was reported at 16:49. It consumed scrubland and mobilised 106 operatives, 33 vehicles and five aircraft. The area was filled with smoke and falling ash, but Commander João Pereira of the Mafra Volunteer Firefighters said the fire never threatened homes and was in the resolution phase by evening. He anticipated a difficult night due to expected wind increases, with crews working to prevent reignitions. No injuries were reported there either. Crews remained on site to monitor hot spots and prevent flare-ups.

We expect a very laborious night, given the wind that should increase in the coming hours.

Broader picture

By late afternoon, five rural fires across the country were mobilising more than 600 operatives, ANEPC data showed. The Alijó fire remained the largest single incident. The other three fires added to the strain on resources, though details were not immediately available. Authorities urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel to the affected area to keep access clear for emergency vehicles.