The Covilhã municipality has issued a warning on Facebook as fire conditions have worsened, urging maximum caution from residents in affected areas.
The advisory, posted at 1:35 PM, specifically warns the communities of Peso, Vales do Rio, Dominguizo, and Tortosendo.
Efforts to reach Covilhã Mayor Vitor Pereira by phone have been unsuccessful.
The fire, which broke out on Wednesday in Arganil, Coimbra district, has extended to three municipalities in Castelo Branco district: Castelo Branco, Fundão, and Covilhã.
Since July, rural fires have plagued mainland Portugal, particularly in the North and Center regions.
The fires have resulted in three fatalities, including a firefighter, numerous injuries, some severe, and have destroyed primary and secondary residences, agricultural and livestock operations, and forest areas.
Preliminary data show that over 222,000 hectares have burned as of August 20, surpassing the total area burned in 2024.
