The man, who is employed in a bar, was detained by inspectors based in Vila Real.

The fire in question started on 6 September at about 9.30pm in Lebução, in Valpaços municipality, according to the PJ statement, which said that it “endangered a forested area and homes that were only not consumed [by the flames] due to the rapid intervention [by] fire fighters”.

The detainee is to be brought before a judge to decide whether he should be remanded into custody or released on bail.

According to the PJ statement, so far this year the force has identified and detained 80 people for starting fires in forests.

Almost twice as much area burned in forest fires in the first eight months of this year as in the same period of last year, at 107,128 hectares, according to figures released by the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC) earlier this month. Many of the fires are believed to be the result of arson.