The general hunting season was scheduled to open on August 17, Sunday.
In a press release, the ICNF urged hunters to fully adhere to the regulations set by the state of alert in effect in Portugal, requesting the avoidance of any risky behavior that could jeopardize the safety of people and property.
Portugal is under a state of alert due to the risk of fires until Sunday, following numerous fires that erupted in recent weeks in the north and center of the country, which have consumed more than half of the approximately 75,000 hectares of burnt area this year.
With the alert in place, prohibiting access, circulation, and presence in defined forest areas and along forest paths and rural roads, ICNF has called for the suspension of hunting in designated zones.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism today, requesting four Canadair aircraft for firefighting assistance.
Former Vila Franca do Deão Mayor Carlos Dâmaso died today fighting the fires, marking the first casualty since the alert was declared on August 2.
