2016 Portugal wildfires

2016 Portugal wildfires
Fire by the Dão River, in northern Portugal, August 2016
Location	Mainland Portugal and Madeira archipelago
Statistics
Total fires	At least 515 as of 9 August [1]
Impacts
Deaths	At least 4 [2]
Non-fatal injuries	One seriously burned, scores of others treated for smoke inhalation
Structures destroyed	37

The 2016 Portugal wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned across mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean during August 2016, prompting the evacuation of more than one thousand people ^[3] and destroying at least 37 homes near Funchal on Madeira Island. Flights at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport were also disrupted due to high levels of smoke. ^[4]

At least seven major fires reported to be out of control in northern Portugal on August 9. According to officials, the fires of Arouca and São Pedro do Sul were the biggest.^{[ citation needed ]} Over 4,200 firefighters, backed by 30 aircraft–some sent by Italy, Spain and Morocco–battled fires together across the mainland. ^[5] An emergency was declared in Portugal's northern Norte Region as firefighters battled numerous wildfires. ^[6]

Fire in Madeira

Smoke from several large fires burning on Madeira blowing over the Atlantic Ocean on 10 August

On 9 August 2016, a fire, allegedly by arson, started at the S. Roque parish in Madeira. It quickly spread throughout the region of Southern Madeira and to its capital Funchal. Though still burning in several fronts, according to Madeira's regional president Miguel Albuquerque, the fire was "under control". The statement was later qualified.

Four deaths were attributed to the wildfire as well as the displacement of one thousand people. The five-star hotel "Choupana Hills Resort & Spa" was also gutted by the flames. ^[4] Three suspects of arson are currently detained and one of them is currently in pre-trial detention.

Arouca fire

One of the most affected municipalities during 2016 Portugal wildfires is considered to be Arouca. It is reported that the Auroca fire is the result of multiple fires, that covered 26,821 hectares of land total. Simultaneously occurred between the 6th and August 15th, they affected Arouca, Castelo de Paiva, Vale de Cambra and São Pedo do Sul. No casualties were reported as some residents, including the most vulnerable ones, were evacuated. ^[7]

Authorities reaction

Authorities had evacuated "Choupana Hills Resort & Spa" hotel, giving public servants a day off to assist in relocation of people from fires. Two hospitals and two elderly homes have been also evacuated, sheltering 950 people in army barracks and schools around the island. ^[8]

Online reactions

The hashtag #PrayForPortugal trended on social media in response to the wildfires. ^{[9] [10]}

International support

The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service in the United Kingdom sent a large amount of specialist equipment to volunteer colleagues in Portugal after an appeal for equipment. The shipment included hose-reel fittings, ropes and tools. ^[11] The European Union is helping Portugal combat the wildfires. Italy and Spain have sent three Canadair airplanes. ^[12] Morocco is also sending two Canadair airplanes. ^[13] East Timor is donating €2M to Portugal to help fight the fires and to help the victims. ^[14] Russia is also expected to send air help due to a bilateral agreement between the two countries. Cristiano Ronaldo also donated £100,000 to his hometown of Funchal.

See also

• List of wildfires
• August 2003 wildfires
• 2017 Portugal wildfires
• 2024 Portugal wildfires

References

1. Hardy, Catherine (9 August 2016). "Wildfires lay waste to mainland Portugal and Madeira". euronews. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
2. "Fires kill 4 people in Portugal, 1,000 evacuated on Madeira". Reuters. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
3. "Madeira - Mil deslocados e pelo três mortos nos incêndios da Madeira" [Madeira - One thousand displaced and three killed in the fires of Madeira]. Diário de Notícias (in European Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
4. "Madeira wildfires: Three dead as flames reach Funchal". BBC News. BBC. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
5. "Forest fires ravage mainland Portugal, Madeira calmer after deaths". Reuters News. Reuters. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
6. Hardy, Catherine (8 August 2016). "Northern Portugal declares forest fire emergency". euronews. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
7. Asfaw, Henok Workeye; McGee, Tara K.; Correia, Fernando Jorge (15 April 2022). "Wildfire preparedness and response during the 2016 Arouca wildfires in rural Portugal". International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction . 73.
8. Visser, Vasco Cotovio,Tim Hume,Steve (10 August 2016). "Madeira wildfires: 3 dead in blazes on Portuguese island". CNN. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
9. Paulo, Daniela (10 August 2016). "#PrayForPortugal. A Internet solidariza-se com um país em chamas" [#PrayForPortugal. The Internet welcomes a burning country]. Publico (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 June 2018.
10. #PrayForPortugal: Netizens heartbroken over Portugal wildfire
11. "South Yorkshire fire gear sent to Portugal volunteers". BBC News. BBC. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
12. "UE já respondeu e vai ajudar Portugal no combate aos incêndios" [EU has responded and will help Portugal in the fight against fires]. TVI 24 (in Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
13. "Marrocos cede dois aviões Canadair para combate aos fogos" [Morocco cedes two Canadair aircraft to fight fires]. RPT (in Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
14. "Timor-Leste aprova doação a Portugal de dois milhões de euros para ajuda aos fogos" [Timor-Leste approves donation to Portugal of two million euros for aid to the fires]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.