Portugal is going through a very complicated period, due to the various fires that have ravaged the territory and have already caused victims and displaced several people. This Tuesday, September 17, the alert levels remain high with more than 100 municipalities in maximum danger of rural fire.
According to a press release from Lusa, quoted by RTP, the municipalities that are most concerned about the risk of fire are mainly located in the North and Center regions, although they are not the only ones. In general, the more than 100 municipalities in maximum danger belong to the districts of:
- Aveiro
- Porto
- Guarda
- Viseum
- Bragança
- Vila Real
- Viana do Castelo
- Braga
- Faro
- Portalegre
- Leiria
- Coimbra
- Castelo Branco
- Santarém
Yellow warning due to heat
The Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) has issued a yellow warning due to heat for the following districts: Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Setúbal, Braga and Leiria.
Extension of the alert situation
In view of the seriousness of the situation, the Portuguese government has decided to extend the alert situation, which was initially scheduled to last until 11.50pm on Tuesday.
However, due to the worsening fire risk, the alert situation has been extended for a further 48 hours, meaning that it will remain in force until the end of Thursday.
During this period, there are several exceptional measures that should be taken into account, such as the prohibition:
- The access and circulation in various forest areas
- The carrying out of burns
- The use of machinery, except in the case of fighting rural fires.
Editor’s Note: On the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority you can access up-to-date information on the evolution of the fires, among other important data.