The IPMA has issued an orange weather warning, effective in Bragança, Évora, Guarda, Faro, Beja, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre until 6:00 PM on Sunday, due to “persistent high maximum temperatures”.
Vila Real and Viseu will remain under the orange warning until midnight on Saturday, after which it will be downgraded to yellow, the lowest in the three-tier warning system.
Leiria and Coimbra are also under a yellow warning for heat until 6:00 PM today, while in Santarém, it will extend until 6:00 PM on Saturday and in Setúbal until 6:00 PM on Sunday.
IPMA’s warnings — red, orange, and yellow — are issued when there is a meteorological risk situation, which can be assessed as high, moderate, or reduced.
Portugal has been on alert due to the fire risk since August 2, and several fires have broken out recently in the north and center of the country, consuming more than half of the approximately 75,000 hectares burned this year.
The alert situation has been extended until Sunday, announced the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, following a visit to the ANEPC on Thursday.
“In light of 22 consecutive days of intense heat showing no signs of abating, the Government will extend the alert situation until Sunday,” the minister stated to the press.
Maria Lúcia Amaral emphasized that all restrictions and prohibitions imposed by the alert situation for heightened fire risk remain in place.
