Portugal faces high fire danger as temperatures climb to 38°C

Portugal's Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed several municipalities in the Algarve – Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira – in the highest fire‑danger category, with ten additional districts in the Faro region classified as very high or high. Similar elevated risk levels are reported across districts in Évora, Beja, Setúbal, Portalegre, Santarém, Coimbra, Viseu and Bragança. The agency attributes the danger to an ongoing heat wave, forecasting maximum temperatures of 30‑35 °C nationwide and up to 37‑38 °C in parts of the Alentejo, Vale do Tejo and interior valleys, with some forecasts approaching 40 °C in the coming days.

IPMA also warns of heightened ultraviolet radiation and dust in the air, and the Health Directorate recommends regular water intake, sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, avoidance of direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00 and abstaining from alcohol. A weak depression may bring showers and thunderstorms to northern and central mountainous areas over the weekend, but overall temperatures are expected to remain elevated.