On the afternoon of 24 September, a rural fire broke out in Almalaguês, near the village of Trémoa. Driven by strong winds, the flames spread very rapidly at first, leading to the deployment of a large number of ground and aerial firefighting resources. Despite some particularly concerning moments, the efforts of the emergency crews gradually brought the fire under control.
Fortunately, the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve was not affected by the flames. Other important areas of native vegetation in the region were also spared, with the burnt area consisting mainly of unmanaged eucalyptus stands.
This fire nevertheless serves as an important warning. A significant part of the area affected by the fire had already burned in 2019. Just seven years later, the rapid regrowth of eucalyptus and the lack of management had once again allowed large amounts of combustible biomass to accumulate, creating the conditions for another high-intensity fire.
What happened in Almalaguês therefore highlights the importance of rethinking the management of burnt areas and extensive eucalyptus monocultures. Without appropriate management and a gradual transformation of the landscape, these territories remain vulnerable to recurring wildfire cycles at increasingly short intervals.
