A 14-year-old boy admitted deliberately igniting forest fires in Portugal using matches and a scooter.
Police suspect he caused blazes in Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela.
The boy said frustration over poor grades and social difficulties motivated his actions.
Authorities have not ruled out the boy acting with others, police said.
Authorities Investigate Repeated Fires
Police launched inquiries after wildfires repeatedly struck the same areas during summer.
Officials reported daily fires destroyed several hectares and alarmed local residents.
Braga Judicial Police investigated and transferred the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Family and Children’s Court will handle the legal proceedings.
Arrests and Firefighting Operations
By 20 August, authorities arrested 52 suspects for arson, mostly in August, according to Lusa news.
Emergency services reported 97 wildfires on Friday morning, with most contained.
The Vinhais fire remained the most dangerous, spreading on three fronts since Tuesday morning.
Officials deployed more than 400 firefighters, 140 vehicles, and six planes to combat the blaze.
Firefighters controlled two fronts but faced difficulty on one remote section.
Cooling temperatures aided containment, but IPMA warned of extreme wildfire risk across southern and interior Portugal.
