New satellite map flags high fire risk in a third of Portuguese parishes

A new satellite-based wildfire susceptibility map, developed by "A Minha Terra" with MEJOR Technologies, shows that one in three parishes in mainland Portugal has elevated fuel loads ahead of the 2026 fire season, rising to two in three in inland Algarve. Unlike the ICNF's long-term structural hazard map, this 10-metre resolution layer captures seasonal vegetation and fuel buildup, driven this year by a wet winter and early warm spring. By contrast, areas burned in 2025, such as Pampilhosa da Serra and Arganil, now show lower fuel levels. The platform has launched a free personalised land-clearing checklist, as the official clearing deadline was extended to 30 June 2026.