“The number of occurrences in 2026 [until 15 October] increased significantly compared to 2025 [the whole year], largely driven by occurrences in the municipalities most affected by Storm Kristin, particularly Leiria, Pombal, Marinha Grande, Porto de Mós and Batalha,” Carlos Guerra told the Lusa news agency.

This official said that, “although the number of occurrences increased in 2026, the burned area was 89% of the area burned in 2025, which reflects the effectiveness of the initial attack.”

Increase in occurrences

According to data sent to the Lusa news agency, 270 rural fires were recorded this year, burning 68 hectares (180 occurrences in 2025, when 616 hectares burned).

"The increase in occurrences is directly linked to Storm Kristin, human behaviour and weather conditions," stressed Carlos Guerra, explaining that the latter were characterised "by high meteorological severity, driven by high temperatures, strong winds, lack of precipitation and very low relative humidity, with many nighttime periods without relative humidity."

The sub-regional commander said that the influence of the Kristin depression, which severely affected this territory on 28 January, "manifested itself in the large amount of combustible material available on the ground resulting from fallen trees, but mainly in the obstruction of paths leading to the fires, that is, the difficulty of mobility of personnel and vehicles in some parts of the territory."

Acknowledging “the considerable work that was done in clearing rural roads before the start of the peak season,” Carlos Guerra admitted, however, that “this obstruction of roads manifested itself in an increased time to reach the fire sites.”

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