Over 60 municipalities across ten Portuguese districts face maximum rural fire risk

According to the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, more than 60 municipalities in ten mainland districts of Portugal are currently classified at the maximum level of rural fire danger. The rating, which ranges from reduced to maximum, is based on recent air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and precipitation. In addition to the maximum-risk zones, nearly every other municipality on the continent is placed in the very high or high categories.

IPMA warns that the heightened fire risk will likely continue in certain regions at least until the end of next week. Yellow alerts— the lowest of a three-tier warning system— have been issued for Setúbal until 19:00 Monday, for Porto, Santarém, Viana do Castelo, Leiria, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga until 18:00 Tuesday, and for Bragança, Viseu, Évora, Guarda, Vila Real, Lisbon, Castelo Branco and Portalegre until 18:00 Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to stay warm, with minima between 14 °C and 23 °C and maxima from 30 °C to 37 °C across the country.