Forest Fire (7355 ha) in Portugal 14 Aug 2024

Event summary

Forest fire can have a medium humanitarian impact based on the burned area and the affected population and their vulnerability.

GDACS ID WF 1021445
Glide number: WF-2024-000153-PRT
Countries: Portugal
Start Date - Last detection*: 14 Aug 2024 - 19 Aug 2024
Duration (days): 5
People affected: 3572 in the burned area
Burned area: 7355 ha
More Info: Global Wildfire Information System

*(Last detection of the thermal anomaly of the fire)

GDACS Score

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Virtual OSOCC
Meteo assessment
Satellite products
Analytical products
Forest fire in Portugal - EC/ECHO daily mapThu, 22 Aug 2024 16:44

A new EC/ECHO daily map is now available
Forest fire in Portugal - Copernicus EMS activationFri, 23 Aug 2024 00:40

[EMSR748] Wildfire in Central Madeira, Portugal
Forest fire in Portugal - Copernicus EMS activationWed, 21 Aug 2024 19:40

[EMSR748] Wildfire in Central Madeira, Portugal
Forest fire in Portugal - Copernicus EMS activationTue, 20 Aug 2024 19:40

[EMSR748] Wildfire in Central Madeira, Portugal
Forest fire in Portugal - Copernicus EMS activationMon, 19 Aug 2024 20:40

[EMSR748] Wildfire in Central Madeira, Portugal
Forest fire in Portugal - Copernicus EMS activationMon, 26 Aug 2024 21:05

[EMSR748] Wildfire in Central Madeira, Portugal
Portugal - Wildfire (ECHO 24 Aug 2024)Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:55

  • A wildfire has been affecting central Madeira Island, western Portugal, since 14 August, resulting in evacuations and damage. 
  • According to the JRC European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the wildfire has burnt so far an area of 6,983 ha.
  • As of 19 August, media reports that at least 160 people have been preventively evacuated across Ribeira Brava and Camara de Lobos municipalities in central Madeira island, and 50 are sheltered in two evacuation centres. The same source reports that the national authorities deployed 200 firefighters, 38 vehicles, and one helicopter. The wildfire is under control over most of the perimeter, with an active front under suppression.
  • The rescue resources on the island of Madeira were supplemented by emergency professionals from the mainland and the Azores, totaling 91 individuals.
  • Over the next 24 hours, according to the JRC EFFIS, the fire danger forecast is very high in Madeira Island.
Detailed event map. European Union, 2026. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)

Estimated casualties (PAGER)

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The graph shows the current fatalities estimate.

Exposed population

Data, images, links, services and documents

For this events, GDACS has links to information from the following sources: EC-JRC (28), WMO (1), INFORM (2), JRC (1), (1),