Over 650 firefighters tackle wildfires in Odemira and Resende as three operatives suffer injuries

Spread of the Odemira fire into the Algarve

At 16:51 on Thursday, 24 September, a wildfire ignited in scrubland and cork oak forest near Nave Redonda, located in the parish of Sabóia within the municipality of Odemira, Beja district. Driven by dry combustible material and difficult terrain, the fire developed rapidly in intensity throughout Thursday afternoon. As nighttime fell, the flames crossed regional boundaries and entered the municipality of Silves in the neighbouring Faro district of the Algarve. The blaze reached the vicinity of São Marcos da Serra, prompting the local parish board to order the precautionary evacuation of 22 people due to thick smoke. Emergency authorities reported that while flames came close to several residences around 22:00, no homes were destroyed and no civilian casualties occurred.

Firefighter injuries and vehicle loss in Benafatima

Combat operations in the southern sector led to an accident involving a specialized forest firefighting vehicle from the Portimão fire brigade. The vehicle veered off the road in the locality of Benafatima before being consumed by advancing flames. Both crew members aboard sustained minor injuries and were evacuated to Portimão Hospital, where medical staff treated one firefighter for cranial trauma and the second for back trauma. Civil protection officials noted that steep orography and parched undergrowth severely impeded access for ground units. National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority operations officer Paulo Santos addressed the operational response.

We have specialized teams surveying the situation, who identify the most sensitive points and decide on the evacuation or relocation of populations if necessary.

Escalation of resources and containment status

Emergency services progressively escalated the deployment of personnel and equipment throughout Thursday night and early Friday morning. Initial response efforts at 18:45 on Thursday involved 256 operatives, 77 vehicles, and five aerial units, with seven aircraft active during peak daylight hours. By 22:00, the deployment grew to 342 operatives and 115 vehicles across two active fronts, expanding further to 428 personnel and 144 vehicles by 23:40. By 05:45 on Friday, a total of 439 operatives and 149 vehicles were stationed in the Odemira sector. Responders confirmed favorable fighting conditions on Friday morning, declaring the fire brought under control despite two active fronts remaining under surveillance.

Active front and severe casualty in Resende

A second rural fire ignited at 20:36 on Thursday in the northern locality of Barrô, situated in the municipality of Resende within the Viseu district. The incident mobilized 221 operatives and 70 firefighters by 06:20 on Friday morning as emergency teams confronted a single active front. Operations were marred by an accident on Thursday when a large tree collapsed onto a female firefighter from the Resende fire department, inflicting serious injuries. The Tâmega and Sousa Sub-Regional Command of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority reported that no civilian settlements were in danger and no further casualties occurred.