Portugal extends red heat alerts to nine districts amid extreme temperatures
Portugal’s meteorological agency (IPMA) expanded the red heat alert on Sunday to include the districts of Bragança and Guarda, raising the total to nine districts experiencing the highest level of weather warning. The alert covers Portalegre, Évora, Beja, Santarém, Lisboa, Setúbal and Castelo Branco, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 44 °C and night‑time minima above 24 °C.
The government has kept a national state of alert in place, restricting the use of agricultural machinery and reinforcing fire‑fighting resources. Interior Minister Luís Neves said the alert will likely be maintained next week as the heat wave persists, and he has sought assistance from European mechanisms and Morocco.
Local authorities have opened climate‑controlled shelters for vulnerable residents, such as in Castro Verde and Reguengos de Monsaraz, and distributed drinking water through schools, fire services and civil‑protection units. Fire‑chief Paulo Moreiras urged the public to stay indoors during peak heat, stay hydrated and avoid activities that could spark wildfires.
The heightened fire risk has prompted the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority to raise its special readiness to level III and to activate the European civil‑protection mechanism. Recommendations from health and civil‑protection bodies emphasize protection of the elderly, children and chronic‑ill patients.