The Wandering Fools patrons donate over €1,150 to support firefighters

On Tuesday, October 13, David Larson, owner of The Wandering Fools bar in Carvoeiro, and bar patrons presented Debby Burton, founder of Associação Alerta de Incêndio Florestal/Forest Fire Alert (Alerta), with a donation of more than €1,150 to support firefighters across the Algarve.

This is the second donation made by the bar’s patrons, following a contribution of more than €550 in May 2026.

Alerta supports firefighters (Bombeiros) and provides information to communities living and working in the Algarve and Lower Alentejo regions of Portugal.

The Wandering Fools opened in January on Carvoeiro’s main road into the village. The neighbourhood bar has become a popular community meeting place, with patrons encouraged to make donations since its opening. A significant proportion of the funds raised has come from visitors attending the bar’s Tuesday night quiz nights.

During the fire season, fire stations regularly find themselves running short of essentials, including portable food and drinks, medical supplies and even dry socks. Alerta’s dedicated volunteers work throughout the season to ensure firefighters have access to these much-needed supplies.

When funds allow, the association also makes larger purchases. These have included replacement uniforms for those damaged on duty, personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic and even a defibrillator to benefit firefighters and the communities they serve.

Alerta also plays an important role in keeping residents informed. Its Facebook group, managed by a team of volunteers, provides regular updates on wildfire situations and serves as a platform for community members to share information and support one another.

Looking ahead, The Wandering Fools, in partnership with Alerta, will host The Great Carvoeiro Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, December 6. For a €5 donation, visitors can sample the chilli dishes and help judge the competition.

For more information about Alerta, visit algarvefire.info or its Facebook group, which also provides wildfire updates.

Further details about The Wandering Fools are available on its Facebook page.