A 14-year-old boy admitted to police that he intentionally set multiple forest fires in Portugal.
He rode his scooter into forested areas and used matches to ignite flames in Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela.
Police said he acted out of frustration over poor school results and difficulties socializing.
Authorities have not ruled out that he acted with others.
Authorities Track Repeated Fires
Police launched investigations after wildfires repeatedly struck the same areas.
Officials reported that summer fires ravaged parishes daily, destroying hectares of forest and alarming residents.
Braga Judicial Police conducted the investigation and forwarded the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Family and Children’s Court will handle the proceedings.
Arrests and Firefighting Efforts
By 20 August, police arrested 52 suspects on arson charges, mostly during August, according to Lusa news agency.
Emergency services reported 97 fires still burning on Friday morning, though most were under control.
Vinhais Fire Remains Dangerous
Firefighters continued battling the Vinhais blaze, active on three fronts, since Tuesday morning.
They deployed over 400 firefighters, 140 vehicles, and six planes to fight the flames.
Authorities controlled two fronts, but one remained hard to access.
Weather Aids Firefighting, Risk Remains
Falling temperatures helped firefighters, with Friday’s forecast between 14 and 32 degrees Celsius under cloudy skies.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issued maximum alert for high wildfire risk in the interior and south.
