Portugal flags 25 municipalities as maximum wildfire risk

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed 25 municipalities in the districts of Faro, Portalegre, Santarém, Castelo Branco and Bragança at the highest wildfire danger level on 8 June. The agency also notes that several municipalities across Faro, Beja, Santarém, Leiria, Coimbra, Portalegre, Castelo Branco, Viseu, Guarda, Vila Real and Bragança are at a very high risk.

The elevated risk is expected to persist at least until the weekend. IPMA’s forecast for the mainland predicts partly cloudy to clear skies, becoming cloudier on the western coast by mid‑morning, with occasional strong winds along the western coastal strip and in higher inland areas. Temperatures are projected to range from 9 °C in Vila Real to 33 °C in Faro.