Serra do Açor Reforestation Project Pledges to Replant 100 Hectares Lost to August Fire
A landmark sustainable development project in central Portugal, the 'Floresta da Serra do Açor', has announced its commitment to replanting approximately 100 hectares of new forest that were destroyed by the Piódão wildfire in August. The announcement was made by Luís Paulo Costa, the mayor of Arganil, who confirmed that despite the setback, the project's partners are moving forward with their long-term environmental goals. The fire impacted a significant portion of the 1,000 hectares that had already been restored as part of the ambitious initiative, which aims to revitalize a total of 2,500 hectares of land previously ravaged by the devastating 2017 fires.
The project operates under strict environmental standards, with a five-million-euro financing agreement from the Jerónimo Martins group providing the necessary capital for its 40-year plan. The initiative is a collaboration between the municipality, the Coimbra School of Agriculture (ESAC), and local community land assemblies ('Assembleias de Compartes') who own the common lands. Mayor Costa stated that representatives from Jerónimo Martins and ESAC visited the site shortly after the fire, and a collective decision was made to proceed with the reforestation of the affected area during the upcoming planting season. This rapid response underscores the project's focus on resilience and sustainable land management.
The environmental standards for the project include the use of specific tree species and advanced vegetation control practices, which were carried out between November and March. Project leaders are hopeful that these measures may allow some of the affected species to regenerate naturally. "We will continue to work and maintain this form of intervention and management, which is essential to ensure the regeneration and the sustainability of the forest," Mayor Costa emphasized. The project's design incorporates not only ecological restoration but also the creation of new, sustainable income sources for the local population, aiming to build a resilient local economy alongside a healthy ecosystem.
The Piódão fire itself was a massive event, consuming nearly 11,800 hectares within the municipality of Arganil alone, which corresponds to almost 40% of its total area. According to a provisional report from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), the blaze grew to become the largest single fire ever recorded in Portugal, ultimately burning 64,000 hectares across multiple districts. The 'Floresta da Serra do Açor' project, with its 1.4 million trees planted to date, stands as a critical effort in a region highly vulnerable to climate change-driven events. The commitment to rebuild demonstrates a model of private and public partnership in addressing large-scale environmental challenges. Discover eco-friendly properties and green developments at realestate-lisbon.com.
