The years with a higher burning area, until August 31, are 2003 (421 thousand) and 2005 (308 thousand) although the most tragic year of always is 2017, when the October fires accounted for.
A preliminary analysis of the 2025 fires, referring to the period between January 1 and August 31, states that they launched 7,046 fires that consumed 254,000 hectares of area.
“Until August 31, although the number of fires remain significantly below the historical average, as in recent years, 2025 is one of the three worst years in terms of burning area.”
The years with higher burned area, until August 31, are 2003 (421 thousand) and 2005 (308 thousand) Although The most tragic year of always is 2017when the October fires are accounted for.
The analysis also tells that the North and Center regions are the most affected And the fire of Arganil, which began on August 13 and lasted 11 days, was the one that recorded the largest burned area, a total of 65,417 hectares, followed by the fire in Trancoso, with 55 thousand hectares.
According to the document, this year there were 35 large fires, with more than 500 hectares of burned area, 18 of which triggered in the North, 12 in the Center and five in Alentejo, and represent “only 0.5%” of total fireworks, but 92% of the total burned area.
The integrated rural fireworks management system underlines that six large fires (17%) started with a night ignition, enters 22:00 and 06:00.
Preliminary analysis also indicates that the affected area is mostly bush, herbaceous and sparse vegetation (69%), Followed by forests (22%) e As agricultural areas (9%).
The data reveal that the burned areas focus on private management areas, while in areas with forest perimeter management, forest intervention zones (ZIFS) and Integrated Landscape Management Area (AIGPS) burned 94 thousand hectares by 2025 (4%).
According to the document, carbon emissions resulting from this year’s fires “are quite significant – 3.3 million tons”. By comparison, total national emissions surround the 15 million tons per year.
“Until August 31, 2025 is the third year (formerly) with the largest number of days of meteorological danger of fire in the two highest classes (‘extreme’ and ‘exceptional’). August 2025 has been the most severe since 2003, registering a long period of consecutive days with meteorological conditions conducive to large fires,” says the analysis.
