en.Wedoany.com Reported - Portugal's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, announced this Monday that a notice will be issued to support the recovery of production potential for vineyards, olive groves, and almond orchards damaged by the fire in Valpaços. The fire, which is still burning, has affected approximately 13,800 hectares.

Fernandes stated that, under current regulations, farms with losses exceeding 30% will receive support, and in this case, a large number of farms have suffered losses well above this threshold.

Fernandes described the fire as "massive in scale" after meeting with the Mayor of Valpaços, producers, and association representatives. In this municipality alone (part of the Vila Real district), 10,000 hectares have been affected, with the fire also spreading to Mirandela and Vinhais in the Bragança district.

The municipal government is investigating the extent of the damage, and the data will be submitted to the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the North (CCDR-N).

Approximately 500 hectares of vineyards in the municipality may have been destroyed.

Fernandes also mentioned that in August 2025, the government issued a decree outlining support measures for fires of large scale and severe damage. He noted that, in addition to a Council of Ministers resolution, the demarcation of the fire-affected area by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) and the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF) is required for the support measures to proceed.

The Minister emphasized that the notice for recovering production potential will move forward regardless of the outcome of the Council of Ministers resolution. He also requested that unused VITIS resources be allocated to vineyards with damage below 30%.