Civil Protection evaluates device in a year with less burned area

The Civil Protection is assessing the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR) this Thursday, noting a 72% decrease in burned area despite a nearly 6% increase in fires compared to 2025. This year, 8,573 fires burned 74,560 hectares, marking the fifth lowest number of fires and the sixth highest area burned in the last decade. The rise in fires this year is the first since 2022. Most significant fires were attributed to arson, fire use, and accidental causes, with 56% of the burned area occurring on high-risk days. The largest fires occurred in July, particularly in Vouzela, Valpaços, and Guarda. The evaluation session will be led by Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves.