Two new support channels have been launched to help residents, farmers, and businesses affected by Portugal’s 2025 wildfires navigate digital, legal, and bureaucratic challenges.
Portugal Sem Chamas – a new volunteer group created to help fire victims – has introduced a Help Line specifically designed for people who struggle with digital tools or online platforms. As the group explains in a statement, many of those affected are skilled in traditional farming, livestock care, or winemaking, yet find it difficult to fill online forms, request aid, or create crowdfunding campaigns. To address this, the platform provides volunteer support to complete digital applications and set up campaigns on behalf of those in need, ensuring that assistance reaches the most vulnerable “promptly, transparently, and fairly.”
The initiative also includes “Papelada Chata” (“Annoying Paperwork”), where volunteer lawyers provide ready-to-use legal documents to help victims manage bureaucratic and legal tasks with public and private entities. All submitted projects are validated within an hour and made visible on the platform, says Ricardo Paágua, creator and coordinator of the platform. Over 600 volunteers are already involved.
Meanwhile, consumer watchdog DECO PROteste has also launched a dedicated telephone line to assist families, businesses, and individuals affected by the fires. Their team of specialists offers guidance on a wide range of urgent issues, including insurance (activation of home, contents, and vehicle insurance, including advice when documentation is missing); government aid (details on new support measures for home reconstruction – up to €250,000 –, agricultural compensation – up to €10,000 – and other emergency funds); employment and business (access to liquidity support for small companies, simplified lay-off procedures, and extraordinary financial incentives for self-employed workers affected by the fires), health (exemption from user fees and free medications for those impacted); and other assistance (such as guidance on financial help for low-income households and provision of animal feed).
“We stand in solidarity with all the families who lost their homes and their livelihoods in these fires. DECO PROteste feels it is its duty to support these populations in such a difficult time,” says spokesperson Nuno Pais de Figueiredo. “With this support line, we want to ensure that affected consumers have access to the information and guidance they need to know their rights.”
There is also another online tool that fire victims can use to obtain information – www.ajudarosbombeiros.pt, a website created to serve as a one-stop-shop for verified information for those affected by Portugal’s wildfire season. Launched in 2024, the platform has already received over 7,000 visits and offers resources for firefighters, residents, animals, and reforestation projects.
This year, the platform has been fully updated and now organises information across four key areas. For firefighters, it provides details on specific needs by brigade, delivery points, and essential contacts. Residents can find immediate support locations, including accommodation, food, transportation, and healthcare. Animal welfare is addressed through listings of shelters, veterinarians, and lost-and-found animal registration. Meanwhile, reforestation projects are also featured, including active initiatives and volunteer registration, all with a strong emphasis on transparency.
The team behind the platform is actively reaching out to journalists, media outlets, and social media influencers to amplify its reach, aiming to make assistance faster and more effective.
Portugal Sem Chamas: 926 747 299 / 919 995 170 or agir@portugalsemchamas.pt
DECO PROteste: 211 215 656
Ajudar os Bombeiros: www.ajudarosbombeiros.pt
