Portugal’s wildfire season is creeping closer—and with it comes news that could affect landowners, farmers, and nature lovers across Beira Baixa.

The ICNF (Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests) has just updated its national map of the Rede Primária de Faixas de Gestão de Combustível (Primary Network of Fuel Management Strips), and Beira Baixa is on the list for new developments.

These "faixas" are strategic areas where vegetation is cleared or thinned out to help prevent the spread of wildfires. Think of them like firebreaks—natural speed bumps for flames. The ICNF's goal is to create a resilient network across Portugal that protects both people and ecosystems.

🗺️ Where Are They Going?

A quick look at the ICNF’s interactive map shows several new strips planned near Castelo Branco, Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova, Oleiros, and Proença-a-Nova. Some may pass near villages, farms, and private properties. You can explore the official map here:
👉 ICNF Fuel Strip Map

If you live or own land in the region, it’s worth checking if your property is affected. In some cases, property owners are invited to give feedback or coordinate with local forestry services.

🧹 What Happens on the Ground?

Fuel management doesn’t mean razing the landscape—it’s often just clearing underbrush, trimming trees, or creating access routes for firefighters. The strips are also maintained over time to keep vegetation from growing back too densely.

This work is funded and organised at the national level but often carried out in coordination with local councils and fire services.

💬 Why It Matters

Wildfires have hit Beira Baixa hard in recent years. These fuel strips are a key part of Portugal’s national strategy to reduce risk and increase landscape resilience. They also help safeguard rural communities, especially those far from urban fire services.

It’s a proactive move—rather than waiting for fires to start, the ICNF is trying to stop them from spreading in the first place.

Have you spotted one of these fuel strips being marked or cleared near you? Got questions about what’s happening to the land?
Let us know, and we’ll help dig deeper.

For the map and more info: ICNF