Fire in Viseu and EuroBasket 2025: fire and basketball unde…
Fire in Viseu with eight aerial assets while Portugal plays Croatia
Fire with two active fronts requires 170 operatives and eight aircraft. The Portuguese team faces Croatia at EuroBasket 2025 under maximum fire alert in Portugal.
The environmental crisis that hits Portugal with record temperatures and maximum risk of forest fires extends its effects to the European sporting calendar: the Portugal-Croatia game of EuroBasket 2025, to be held tonight in , takes place under fire alerts that are already mobilizing hundreds of operators in the interior of the country. This Saturday, a fire with two active fronts broke out in Viseu, requiring the immediate mobilization of 170 operatives, 40 vehicles and eight aerial means — including helicopters and planes — to contain the flames. Civil Protection authorities warn of the extreme risk of spread, in a heat wave scenario that keeps mainland Portugal at temperatures above 40 degrees.
The fire, which has not yet been controlled, represents additional pressure on combat resources, already burdened by the prolonged heat wave. The situation in Viseu is not isolated. In the last 48 hours, 12 new fires were registered across the country, according to data from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
The districts of Coimbra, Castelo Branco and Guarda also face critical scenarios, with preventive evacuations in residential areas. The combination of strong winds, low humidity and temperatures above 40 degrees creates an environment conducive to the rapid expansion of the flames, forcing authorities to prioritize the evacuation of populations rather than trying to immediately control the fires. The pattern of fires in Portugal reflects a worrying trend in recent years, with the number of fires increasing by 15% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to ANEPC's annual report.
Experts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) highlight that the combination of prolonged droughts and increasingly intense heat waves is turning the territory into a powder keg. The central region, where Viseu is located, is particularly vulnerable due to the density of maritime pine and eucalyptus forests, highly flammable species and responsible for 70% of rural fires in the country. The authorities' response has been criticized by environmental organizations, who point out flaws in the prevention and management of fuel in forests.
Quercus, one of the main environmental protection associations in Portugal, highlights that only 30% of scrub and forest areas were intervened in 2024, well below the 80% recommended by the National Strategy for Forests. The lack of continuous investment in forest clearing and early warning systems worsens the crisis, making fires more difficult to contain when they break out. Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Portuguese basketball team is preparing to face Croatia in a decisive game of EuroBasket 2025.
The coincidence between the peak of fire risk in Portugal and the national team's departure highlights how extreme weather conditions not only affect the territory, but also the logistics and media attention surrounding international sporting events. The match gains global attention, but the shadow of the fire hangs over the Portuguese delegation, which is following the evolution of the crisis in the country in real time. Civil Protection issued statements recommending maximum precaution to the population, highlighting that the districts of Viseu and Vouzela are among the most critical.
Forest protection experts and sports commentators point out that the situation highlights the country's vulnerability to extreme events and the need to adapt sports calendars to adverse conditions, especially when Portugal's international image is at stake. The Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB) confirmed that the national team will maintain concentration and scheduled training, despite the environmental crisis. However, the delegation was instructed to avoid public statements on the topic, so as not to divert attention from the sporting focus.
The FPB also announced that, at the end of the game, a symbolic tribute will be paid to the Portuguese firefighters and the affected populations, in a demonstration of solidarity that could gain global media coverage. What's next: Weather forecasts indicate that the heat wave will continue in the coming days, which could increase the risk of new fire outbreaks. The Portuguese team plays tonight in Toronto, where a symbolic tribute to the firefighters and affected populations is expected.
EuroBasket 2025 continues, but Portugal faces a double challenge: containing the flames at home and ensuring a performance that brings spirit to the country. ANEPC warns that, by the end of the week, reinforcements of human and material resources from Spain and France may be necessary, given the saturation of national resources. The situation highlights the need for a coordinated European strategy to deal with cross-border environmental crises, especially when they coincide with internationally important events such as EuroBasket.
The Portuguese government has already announced a package of emergency measures that includes the reinforcement of 500 additional firefighters until the end of summer, but the effectiveness of these actions will depend on the evolution of weather conditions. Meanwhile, the national basketball team will have to deal with the symbolic weight of representing a country on fire, in a game that can transcend sport and become a moment of national unity. Read at Observador Desporto
Why this matters
The Portuguese environmental crisis, marked by forest fires and extreme heat waves, is not limited to territorial damage: it also affects the country's international projection. The Portugal-Croatia game at EuroBasket 2025, to be held under maximum fire alert, illustrates how extreme weather events can interfere with global sporting agendas, exposing the vulnerability of infrastructures and resources. The situation highlights the urgency of integrated climate adaptation and risk management policies, especially when sport serves as a national showcase. The dependence on international resources to fight fires in Portugal also highlights the fragility of a system that, under normal circumstances, already operates with narrow margins. This crisis also highlights the need to reevaluate forest management and fire prevention, with structural investments that go beyond emergency responses.
Frequently asked
Why is the Portugal-Croatia game taking place under a fire alert?
The game takes place in Toronto, Canada, but the heat wave and active fires in Portugal — particularly in Viseu — keep the country under maximum forest fire alert. Portuguese authorities have issued precautionary recommendations, but the international sporting event continues as scheduled.
How many aerial assets are fighting the fire in Viseu?
Firefighting in Viseu mobilizes eight aerial assets, in addition to 170 operational and 40 ground vehicles. Resources include helicopters and firefighting planes, essential to contain the spread in rough terrain.
Where is the EuroBasket 2025 Portugal-Croatia game taking place?
The match takes place in Toronto, Canada, as part of the group stage of EuroBasket 2025. The event is broadcast internationally and gains attention due to the environmental situation in Portugal.
Which Portuguese districts are most at risk of fire?
According to Civil Protection, the districts of Viseu and Vouzela are among the most critical, with extreme risk of spreading forest fires. The prolonged heatwave worsens the situation in these regions.
How does the environmental crisis affect the Portuguese basketball team?
Although the team is focused on the game in Toronto, the environmental crisis in Portugal adds symbolic pressure. Players and technical staff are monitoring the situation in the country, and a tribute to the firefighters is expected during the match.
Has ANEPC already asked for international help to fight the fires?
No official request for international aid has yet been formalized, but ANEPC admitted that, by the end of the week, reinforcements of human and material resources from Spain and France may be necessary, given the saturation of national resources.
