Wildfire danger hits maximum in around 50 Portuguese councils this Friday — inland north to the Algarve
Portugal's weather institute IPMA has placed around 50 councils across Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Santarém, Portalegre and Faro districts on maximum rural fire danger this Friday, with 140 more on high or very high.
Summer is not letting up: around 50 councils across Portugal’s inland north and centre and the Faro district are on maximum rural fire danger this Friday, according to weather institute IPMA. The wider list is more sobering still — over 140 councils sit at high or very high danger across the mainland.
Which areas are on maximum wildfire danger?
The councils at the top level belong to the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Santarém, Portalegre and Faro — the classic dry-July portrait of the interior, with the Algarve in the mix. The detailed day-by-day map is always on IPMA’s official site.
The weather is not helping: despite some cloud and light showers on the northern coast, the interior stays hot and dry, with highs around 34C in Évora and Faro. It is the same pattern that pushed the government to extend the state of alert last week — the risk is not new, but it is climbing.
What is banned while danger is at maximum?
In councils on maximum and very high danger the usual bans apply: no burning of cuttings or stubble, no machinery working in scrubland during the hottest hours, no fireworks, no smoking in forest areas. Fines are heavy — and more to the point, one careless spark costs hectares.
Beach weekend on the coast, double caution inland — and 112 at the ready the moment you see smoke that should not be there.
Infographic: Tugadaily · IPMA data
