Portugal and Brazil face extreme heat and wildfire risks

Portugal is facing a period of intense heat and high wildfire risk. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued warnings for several districts, with temperatures in the interior potentially exceeding 40°C. Low humidity levels, below 30%, and increasing wind speeds are expected to create “Very High to Maximum” wildfire danger levels, particularly in the Algarve and interior regions. Consequently, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the GNR have implemented strict prohibitions on activities such as large-scale burning, using fire for cooking in rural areas, and certain agricultural machinery use to prevent ignitions.

In Brazil, weather patterns are also showing extremes. In the state of Acre, a polar air mass initially brought cooler temperatures, but the region is transitioning toward high heat with temperatures reaching up to 38°C and low humidity. Meanwhile, in Minas Gerais, the weather remains inconsistent, with some regions experiencing heavy storms and others facing temperatures near 37°C, though meteorologists note this does not yet constitute a generalized heatwave for the entire state.