Fires of criminal origin are almost all in the North and Centre
The following was sent to Safe Communities Portugal by AGIF
The agency that manages fires warns of the need to combat alcoholism and mental health problems in order to reduce fires, most of which occur in the North and Centre.
Arson is already the leading cause of fires in Portugal, accounting for 84% of the area burned with a known cause last year (a little over 84,000 hectares). Almost all of these occurred in the North and Centre of the country, regions that account for 97% of the total burned area (134,000 hectares). Combating risky behaviour during burning and slash-and-burn activities has reduced the number of incidents in the country, but addressing the alcoholism and mental health issues that drive many to set fires is still a priority, in situations that, combined with severe weather, lead to tragedies like the one experienced last September.
In 2024 alone, arsonists—including those responsible for and those not responsible for, whether or not they had intentional intent—were responsible for 84% of the burned area and 42% of incidents. The remaining incidents were caused by the use of fire, such as burning and slash-and-burn (41%), accidental causes, and natural causes. The North (57% of incidents and 48% of the burned area) and the Centre (17% of incidents and 49% of the burned area) suffered the most from the September fires.
This trend, as reflected in reports from the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management (AGIF), has been evident in recent years (see infographic). In 2023, for example, arson accounted for 31% of incidents, and fires caused by improper use accounted for 50%.
“Before 2018, there were many fires, around 20,000 per year, and most were the result of burning and slash-and-burn,” but awareness campaigns and mechanisms aimed at landowners (the ICNF Burns and Burns app or by calling 808 200 520) have led to a “significant reduction” in fires, explains Tiago Oliveira, president of AGIF. As a result, there has been a percentage increase in arson, and the need to combat the phenomenon has gained visibility. According to the AGIF leader, to achieve this, it is urgent to prioritize preventive measures “against alcoholism and mental health problems,” as well as monitoring repeat offenders and behavioural monitoring.
The AGIF president emphasizes that, to continue reducing fires, it is necessary to address arson and forest management (see text opposite), as “firefighting is very robust.” In recent years, he adds, “as we have reduced the number of fires, our firefighting capacity has been further leveraged, meaning we will have more resources for each fire.”
They understand fireworks
According to Avelino Lima, head of the Permanent Monitoring and Support Group for forest fires at the Judicial Police (PJ), most arson attacks are “involuntary,” meaning there is no intention to commit arson, but some actions do have this consequence. Some are “difficult to resolve because they stem from cultural issues,” such as the improper clearing of brush “by emigrants” during summer vacation, he explains.
As for those with malicious intent, the profile drawn up by the PJ indicates that they are generally men (last year there was an increase in the number of women), socially dysfunctional individuals, with alcohol problems, social or psychological weaknesses, and dazzled by the spectacle of fire. And some are becoming more “competent.” “We’ve already arrested individuals who clearly master aspects of fire, and this is dramatic, because they can achieve their goals more violently,” says Lima.
Last year, the Judiciary Police arrested 53 suspects and charged 191 individuals with intentional arson. The GNR arrested 36 individuals and identified 551 for committing forest fires, primarily due to negligent behaviour.
Notify tourists
Xavier Viegas, coordinator of the Center for Forest Fire Studies at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra, warns that public behavior is also important to prevent fires from causing significant damage. “Clearing vegetation around homes must be a priority, because despite the warnings the country has received and efforts by authorities and municipalities to be more cautious, there is still much to be done,” says the expert. This is one of the major problems when fires occur, “because [the flames] easily reach close to homes.” If these “are not protected, they cause serious problems for residents, firefighting forces, and the country.”
Xavier Viegas also emphasizes that there must be “care in risk communication,” not forgetting tourists and immigrants, who “are not accustomed to the fire environment we have in the country and may be surprised.”
Parliament must legislate to improve forest management
The Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management (AGIF) warns that measures must be implemented to improve forest management, many of which are supported by Parliament. Proposals from the Rural Property Working Group, which could help in this process, are slow to materialize.
The AGIF report highlights the “positive progress of property registry projects, which mapped 58% of the area of the 153 municipalities in mainland Portugal without land registry records,” but little else. There are “key projects to be implemented—some under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Assembly of the Republic—that would address the root causes of the problem.” Specifically, “there remains a need for political implementation, through the approval of legislation in the Assembly of the Republic, based on the results prepared by the Rural Property Working Group” (GTPR) and the completion of the National Forest Inventory.
Between inheritance, emigration, and profitability issues, among others, there are many plots of land that are not “taken care of,” warns Tiago Oliveira.
Former GTPR coordinator Rui Gonçalves says the proposals drafted two years ago resulted from “in-depth work on forest problems,” and the measures “should be taken as quickly as possible,” as they would impact rural property management and, consequently, the spread of fires. He acknowledges that there has been political instability, but “information circulating suggests there would be a consensus for these measures to be implemented.”
Rui Gonçalves adds that the proposals, which include measures on inheritance law to prevent “property immobility” and facilitate land consolidation, among others, should not be taken “in isolation.” “If we don’t make rural areas attractive for investment, the rest won’t be resolved, and the difficulties will persist.”
Lack of incentives
Regarding legal and financial incentives that would help improve the economic viability of land, “very little” has been done, the AGIF leader believes, emphasizing that this is also “a matter for Parliament.” “When discussing corporate income tax (IRC), personal income tax (IRS), and the State Budget, where are the incentives for landowners or those who exploit the forest to benefit? This would allow the forest to be leveraged on a new scale,” he warns.
The report highlights the importance of moving forward with the special contribution for the conservation of forest resources, creating Forest Savings Plans and reviewing the rural taxation model.”
Way to go
Investigation
About 99% of rural fires in 2024 were investigated by police forces.
Raising awareness among the population
Experts advocate campaigns to continue raising awareness of risky behavior, particularly when handling agricultural machinery.
Diversifying the forest
Xavier Viegas advocates for forests with different species of trees, which have different behaviors when faced with flames.
Encouraging pastoralism
Tiago Oliveira approves incentives to increase the number of animals that eat vegetation and the valorization of products resulting from silvopastoralism, such as milk and cheese.
Combating smallholdings
AGIF argues that it is necessary to resize rural properties in the North and Center, increase areas of integrated management, qualify the rural economy, and expand incentives for land development.
Hectares consumed
According to the ICNF, this year (as of yesterday) 10,345 hectares have already burned in rural areas, as a result of 3,403 incidents.