By 15:15, in addition to the six air assets, 150 operators and 38 vehicles were on the ground.

"The fire is progressing in an area of eucalyptus and pine forests and the wind is hampering combat operations", said the source from the Sub-Regional Command of Beiras and Serra da Estrela, in Guarda.

According to the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), the fire started at around 1:26pm in the town of Unhais da Serra, in the municipality of Covilhã.