The president of the Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses has called for an emergency fire prevention plan following the extensive damage caused Storm Kristin across central Portugal.
António Nunes warned that the destruction left behind the recent series of storms has significantly increased wildfire risks ahead of the upcoming fire season. According to the firefighters’ leader, thousands of trees were felled and key access roads used civil protection and emergency teams were damaged, particularly in forested regions.
The central districts of Leiria and Santarém are among the areas most affected. Large sections of vegetation cover and forest stands have been destabilised, creating dense accumulations of fallen timber and debris that could act as fuel during periods of high temperatures. Nunes stressed that restoring safe conditions will require intensive mechanical intervention, including the use of tracked vehicles to reopen firebreaks and clear blocked access routes.
He said the issue will be raised at the upcoming meeting of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Commission scheduled to take place in Lisbon on Friday. The Portuguese Firefighters League expects that concrete measures will be adopted to recondition the most vulnerable territories in time to reduce fire hazards.
Among the priorities highlighted is the reorganisation of tracked vehicle deployment to ensure efficient reopening of firebreaks and the clearing of forest paths. Nunes also called for a substantial increase in surveillance across complex and high risk areas, particularly where storm damage has made terrain access more difficult.
The firefighter leader noted that the effects of the storms are likely to be prolonged and could trigger secondary risks if preventive action is not taken swiftly. He warned that without reinforced preparation, the country could face additional catastrophes during the peak wildfire season.
Portugal has experienced severe wildfire seasons in recent years, prompting ongoing reforms in forest management, emergency response coordination and prevention strategies. However, storm induced forest damage presents new challenges, especially when fallen trees and obstructed infrastructure limit rapid intervention capacity.
The forthcoming meeting of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority will bring together institutional partners to assess preparedness levels and coordinate actions for the coming months. Authorities are expected to review risk maps, resource allocation and surveillance mechanisms in light of the new vulnerabilities created Storm Kristin.
Fire prevention efforts in Portugal typically intensify in spring as temperatures rise and vegetation dries. The firefighters’ league maintains that immediate intervention is essential to reduce accumulated combustible material and restore operational access for emergency services before high risk conditions develop.
