Portugal faces maximum rural fire danger across 100 municipalities

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) warned that temperatures will reach up to 40 °C, relative humidity will fall below 30 % and winds may gust to 70 km/h, creating very high to maximum rural fire danger. About 100 municipalities in twelve districts – Bragança, Guarda, Viseu, Coimbra, Castelo Bravo, Portalegre, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal, Évora, Beja and Faro – are currently classified at the maximum danger level, with many other areas at very high risk. The threat is expected to persist through the weekend and at least until Monday.

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) issued a series of preventive measures, banning open burning, use of motor‑cutters and other equipment, and urging residents to adopt self‑protection actions. Authorities stress that the conditions favor rapid fire spread and make suppression difficult, prompting heightened vigilance across the affected regions.