Residents of Barão de São João, in the municipality of Lagos, have expressed heartfelt gratitude to firefighters, describing them as “true heroes” for preventing the Aljezur wildfire from reaching their village on Sunday night.
The small community endured tense hours as the blaze, which broke out earlier that afternoon in Aljezur, tore through the National Forest of Barão de São João, fanned by strong winds and consuming scrubland and undergrowth. Several homes were evacuated as a precaution during the first night of the fire, which has since mobilised hundreds of Civil Protection operatives over four days.
Despite the threat, no lives were lost and major property damage was avoided—an outcome villagers attribute to the swift response of the emergency services.
Eighty-one-year-old Dina Teixeira was among the first to be evacuated. “The fire wasn’t yet close, but the firefighters advised me to leave because of the smoke,” she told reporters, praising the crews for their concern. “They are true heroes—not only do they walk into the fire, but they also take care of the people nearby.”
A local restaurant owner echoed the sentiment, calling the firefighters’ commitment “crucial” to safeguarding lives and property. “It’s remarkable, the dedication of these men and women, who leave their own homes to protect ours. Even exhausted, they never stopped,” he said.
Residents interviewed by Lusa stressed that firefighters, many drafted in from outside the region, had been “tireless” and “always present.”
Both Hugo Pereira, mayor of Lagos, and José Gonçalves, mayor of Aljezur, commended the operational coordination that ensured the safety of residents. Gonçalves noted that while one secondary home had been destroyed, “the worst was avoided thanks to the rapid mobilisation of resources.”
By Monday morning, with the blaze partially contained and winds easing, evacuated families were able to return home safely.
The fire, which began in the parish of Bordeira (Aljezur), spread rapidly into neighbouring Lagos, advancing at more than 1,300 metres per hour due to high winds and rugged terrain. Civil Protection estimates that some 2,000 hectares of mixed forest and scrubland—including cork oak, pine and eucalyptus—have been burned.
According to the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), 14 people were treated, four of whom required hospital care for minor injuries.
Around 700 firefighters, backed by over 200 vehicles and 13 aircraft, were deployed. Although the blaze was reported 70% contained on Monday morning, flare-ups driven by shifting winds continued into the night.
Civil Protection confirmed the fire was finally brought under control this morning, though hotspots remain under surveillance to prevent reignition.
