Municipalities across the Algarve have approved an investment of over €1 million to strengthen the region’s rural fire-fighting capacity, reinforcing support for emergency services ahead of the critical summer months.
The funding, coordinated by the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), will support the 2026 Special Rural Firefighting Device (DECIR), which runs from May 15 to October 15.
The protocol brings together all 16 Algarve municipalities, the National Civil Protection Agency (ANEPC), the Algarve Firefighter Federation, and the district’s 13 humanitarian fire brigade associations.
A total of €1,023,264 has been allocated, representing an increase compared to last year. Each municipality will contribute €63,954 to fund the regional operation, which will mobilise 1,191 personnel dedicated to combating wildfires, AMAL says in a statement.
The agreement also includes improved compensation for firefighters. Municipal support has been raised to €36 per day per operational member – an increase of €6 compared to 2025 – while ANEPC will contribute €84 per day, €9 more than last year.
According to AMAL, the objective is to ensure dedicated fire response teams without compromising the ability to respond to other emergencies, particularly in a region that sees a significant population surge during the summer tourism season.
The operational structure will follow four phased levels of engagement: Bravo (May 15–31), Charlie (June 1–30), Delta (July 1–September 30), and a return to Charlie (October 1–15), under the coordination of the regional command of ANEPC.
AMAL says the DECIR programme has proven to be “a fundamental tool” in ensuring a fast and effective initial response to rural fires across the Algarve.
