Territory maps cover a wall in Alexandre Penha’s office, providing a constant reminder of how much has changed since he became operations deputy at Portugal’s National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC). Seventeen days after Penha took over the post in 2017, the country experienced its deadliest wildfires. Drought, high temperatures, and strong winds combined to spread 156 fires Portugal Revamps Wildfire Resilience after Devastating Fires 120 that June. Blazes burned 100,000 hectares, killed 66 people, and injured 200. Fast-moving flames destroyed enough crops and livestock to impact the country’s economy. Many people lost everything. In response, Portugal passed laws to reduce risk and better respond to emergencies. Penha’s organization, ANEPC, redesigned its territories, adding five new regional operational Portugal deploys rugged fire engines to fight fire in rural hills.
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