Large parts of mainland Portugal are facing the highest level of wildfire danger as soaring temperatures and dry conditions continue to grip the country.
According to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), all districts in the north and centre of the mainland, together with the Algarve district of Faro, are now classified as being at maximum wildfire risk. The remaining districts are under very high risk.
Of mainland Portugal’s 278 municipalities, only around 40 coastal municipalities are classified as facing either high or moderate fire danger. These are mainly located in the districts of Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Leiria, Lisbon, Setúbal and Faro.
The IPMA forecasts that wildfire danger will remain elevated throughout the week, with hot, dry weather expected to persist.
A yellow weather warning for hot conditions is in force for every mainland district except Faro until Tuesday. Forecast temperatures are expected to reach 40C in Santarém and Évora, while Lisbon is forecast to see highs of 37C and Porto 31C.
The yellow warning, the least severe on the IPMA’s scale, is issued when weather conditions pose a risk to certain activities.
The weather institute is also forecasting a slight increase in minimum temperatures, particularly across northern and inland central regions.
Portugal has already experienced an intense wildfire season this summer, with firefighters tackling several significant blazes in recent weeks amid recurring heatwaves and strong winds.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution in rural and forested areas. During periods of maximum wildfire risk, people should not light bonfires or barbecues in the countryside, burn garden waste, use machinery that can generate sparks near dry vegetation, or discard cigarette ends. Vehicles should not be parked on dry grass, as hot exhaust systems can ignite vegetation.
Anyone who spots a fire should immediately call 112.
Source: Lusa