Around 100 municipalities across 12 districts of mainland Portugal currently present a maximum danger of rural wildfires, according to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
The areas placed under maximum fire danger are located within the districts of Bragança, Guarda, Viseu, Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal, Évora, Beja, and Faro. Meanwhile, several municipalities in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Leiria, and Vila Real present a very high and high danger of wildfire today.
The risk of rural wildfires is expected to worsen and remain very high until at least Monday due to the meteorological conditions. This specific wildfire danger rating, determined daily by IPMA, features five distinct levels ranging from reduced to maximum.
The mathematical calculations are obtained based on air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and the total amount of precipitation recorded over the preceding 24 hours. Emergency services are on high alert as the combination of these factors creates highly volatile conditions across the country.
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Mainland Portugal will record elevated temperatures until Saturday, with maximum temperatures varying today between 27 and 38 degrees and on Friday between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.
A more pronounced rise in the maximum temperature is expected today, with some locations experiencing a sudden surge of around 10 degrees Celsius. According to IPMA forecasts, Friday will be the hottest day of this weather event, with temperatures peaking significantly across the vast majority of the territory.
Minimum temperatures are also projected to rise nationwide, with some regions experiencing tropical nights where values stay near or above 20 degrees until Sunday morning. This sustained heat prevents overnight thermal recovery, further drying out vegetation and increasing the probability of fire ignition and rapid spread. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution, avoid risky behaviors in forested areas, and strictly adhere to safety regulations.
