The Municipality of Cascais has issued a Municipal Alert Declaration from July 27 to 29 due to a forecast of very high rural fire risk by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), according to a statement released today.
This measure, ordered by Carlos Carreiras, the Mayor of Cascais, aims to safeguard human lives and protect natural heritage, including the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which is particularly vulnerable after Storm Martinho, the municipality clarified.
During the alert period, access to forest areas within the municipality, including Rua dos Capuchos, Campo Base da Pedra Amarela, Barragem do Rio da Mula, Quinta do Pisão, and other areas marked on a map, is prohibited for people and vehicles.
The GNR and Municipal Police will ensure compliance with these restrictions.
These measures are part of the “Closure of the Mountain” procedures, involving enhanced patrolling, suspension of outdoor activities, and active communication with the public. Previous bans on burning and fires throughout the municipality from June 1 to September 30 remain in effect.
The Municipality of Sintra also announced similar measures for the same dates due to very high forest fire risk forecasts. The forest perimeter and monuments within the Sintra Mountains will be closed.
The warning is effective from 12:00 a.m. on July 27 to 11:59 p.m. on July 29. It includes the prohibition of access, circulation, and presence in forest areas, along with the closure of monuments such as the Park and National Palace of Pena, Convent of the Capuchos, Park and Palace of Monserrate, and the Moorish Castle.
However, the Quinta da Regaleira, National Palace of Sintra, and National Palace of Queluz will remain open.
The measures aim to protect people, property, and the natural heritage of the Sintra Mountains, especially after the damage caused by Depression Martinho, which resulted in the fall of over 100,000 trees, and the ongoing cleanup and maintenance work.
According to the statement, all cleaning operations have been halted, and forest perimeter surveillance has been reinforced in partnership with the GNR, Firefighters, Parks of Sintra, and the Portuguese Army.
During this period, emergency vehicles, civil protection entities, residents, and those conducting professional activities or assisting vulnerable people can still transit in the area.
The Sintra Mountains are classified as a sensitive area at risk of forest fires, with a high number of visitors. Therefore, the municipality considers it essential to ensure its protection, maintenance, and conservation, seen as objectives of public interest on a global, national, and municipal level.
The Municipality of Sintra urges all citizens to cooperate by avoiding unnecessary travel and respecting authorities’ instructions.
The situation will be reassessed based on the meteorological evolution, and additional measures may be adopted.
This decision by the Municipality of Sintra stems from the elevation of the Special State of Readiness by the Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of Greater Lisbon and the need to adopt preventive and reactive measures due to the elevated, very elevated, and maximum fire risk forecasted by the IPMA.
Exceptional measures to be implemented include prohibiting access, circulation, and stay in forest areas and roads intersecting them, banning surface fires, burning of leftovers, and machinery use in forest areas, as well as the use of fireworks or pyrotechnics, and reinforcing security and military patrols along with mobilization of medical emergency teams, forest operatives, and nature watchmen.
