The Sintra City Council has announced the closure of local monuments and forest areas in response to the government’s declaration of a “state of alert across the continental territory” due to the extreme risk of wildfires.
The announcement specifies that the alert is effective from 00:00 on Sunday, August 3, to 23:59 on Thursday, August 7, including prohibition of access, circulation, and presence in forest areas, as well as the closure of monuments such as Park and National Palace of Pena, Convent of Capuchos, Park and Palace of Monserrate, Castle of the Moors, and Quinta da Regaleira. However, the National Palace of Sintra and the National Palace of Queluz will remain open,” stated a communication sent to newsrooms.
It also noted that “during this period, the following vehicles may continue to operate: emergency and rescue vehicles, as well as those belonging to entities within the Municipal Civil Protection System, residents, and individuals engaged in professional activities or providing assistance to vulnerable persons.”
The statement highlighted that “the Sintra Mountain is a protected area classified as sensitive to the risk of forest fires, characterized by a high number of visitors,” making it essential to ensure its protection. The city council emphasized the importance of safeguarding this area, considering its global, national, and municipal significance.
In this context, the Sintra administration “urges all citizens to collaborate by avoiding risky behaviors and unnecessary travel,” reinforcing the significance of adhering to authorities’ guidelines. They stressed that “the protection of the forest, heritage, and human life relies on responsible behavior by everyone.”
Minister of Internal Administration: “Next week will be difficult”
The Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, announced on Saturday a “state of alert across the national territory,” effective from 00:00 on Sunday, August 3, until 23:50 on Thursday, August 7.
This decision follows the continued very high temperatures, low humidity levels, and the need for preventive and special measures to address the risk of wildfires in much of the continental territory,” stated the minister, adding that “next week will be difficult.”
The alert begins at midnight and extends until 23:59 on Thursday, August 7.
Carolina Pereira Soares with Lusa | 13:06 – 02/08/2025
What “exceptional measures” will be implemented?
The alert declaration “includes a set of exceptional measures,” detailed by the government in a statement from the Ministry of Internal Administration following Minister Maria Lúcia Amaral’s press conference on Saturday.
Accordingly, “under the alert declaration, as provided in the Civil Protection Law, the following measures will be implemented”:
- Prohibition of access, circulation, and presence inside forest areas previously defined in the Municipal Forest Fire Defense Plans and on forest paths, rural roads, and other roads crossing them;
- Prohibition of burning and burning of surplus agricultural products and suspension of any issued authorizations;
- Prohibition of work in forest areas using any machinery, except for those associated with rural fire fighting;
- Prohibition of work in other rural areas with the use of bladed or metal disc brushcutters, clearers, shredders, and machinery with blades or a front shovel;
- Prohibition of the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices, regardless of their form of combustion, and suspension of any issued authorizations.
The government declared a “state of alert across the continental territory” from 00:00 on Sunday, August 3, to 23:59 on Thursday, August 7. Weather forecasts for the coming days “indicate a significant increase in the risk of rural fires.”
Notícias ao Minuto | 13:50 – 02/08/2025
