A 14-year-old boy admitted deliberately igniting wildfires in Portugal using matches and a scooter.
Police suspect he caused blazes in Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela.
He told officers he acted out of frustration over poor school results and social difficulties.
Authorities have not ruled out the boy acting with others, the Polícia Judiciária said.
Authorities Launch Investigation
Police launched probes after repeated wildfires struck the same areas during summer.
Officials said these parishes faced near-daily destruction, alarming residents and burning several hectares of forest.
Braga Judicial Police completed their inquiry and handed the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Family and Children’s Court will now handle the matter.
Dozens Arrested Amid Summer Fires
By 20 August, police arrested 52 people on suspicion of arson, most in August, Lusa reported.
Vinhais Fire Remains Active
Emergency services reported 97 fires burning on Friday morning, with most under control.
The Vinhais fire remained the most dangerous, spreading across three fronts since Tuesday.
Authorities deployed over 400 firefighters, 140 vehicles, and six planes to contain the blaze.
Officials said two fronts are mostly under control, but one remains hard to access.
Conditions Aid Firefighting but Risk Remains
Dropping temperatures aided firefighting, while Friday’s highs ranged between 14 and 32 Celsius under cloudy skies.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere warned of extreme wildfire risk across southern and interior regions.
