Insurers estimate a compensation payment of €8 million for fires that occurred during the state of emergency and the alert drawn up in July, according to an investigation by APS, the Portuguese association of insurers.
Findings from a member survey, published today, also indicate that Leiria was the region with the most reported claims, but the claims with the highest number of losses were reported in Faroese provinces (from the Almancil/Quinta do Lago fire). ) and Aveiro.
Almost all reported losses relate to multi-risk insurance, both commercial and industrial (49%) and residential (37%).
“The situation that the country has experienced recently, and the recurrence of climatic events that have arisen in the first place, reinforce the importance of insurance as an element to mitigate the losses incurred and as a stabilizing factor in people’s lives and,” the president said. From APS, José Galampa de Oliveira, in a statement.
According to data from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), the period through July 31, 2022 recorded the fifth largest number of fires and the third largest number of areas burned since 2012.
July is the month (so far) with the highest number of rural dwellings – 40% of the total this year. It is also the month with the most burned areas – 46,996 hectares, which is 81% of all burned areas recorded this year.
The five biggest fires (so far) all occurred in July. The largest area in the municipality of Morsa, Villa Real, was consumed on 17 July (7,058 hectares), followed by a fire in Pombal, Leiria, which burned 5,126 hectares (8 July).
The Chavez fire, Villa Real, on July 15, comes in third, with 3,368 hectares burned, followed by Carrazeda de Ancias, Bragança (July 7), where 3,330 hectares were burned, and Ourem, Santarem, also on 7. de Julho which consumed 2,936 hectares.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
