The meteorologist Alexandra Fonseca from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) confirmed instability phenomena, validated by radar and satellite, with the daytime heatwave causing, in the afternoon, high clouds that triggered showers, strong winds, thunderstorms, and hail (with large-sized stones) inland, especially from Portalegre to the center and north of the country.
The meteorologist added that by late afternoon, there was instability recorded throughout the interior of the country, but with a tendency to slow down due to nighttime cooling.
By 8:00 PM, three fires were active nationwide, one of them already under control, with the largest in a forest area in the municipality of Castelo Branco, and firefighting efforts proceeding “favorably,” according to Civil Protection.
The operations officer of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), José Costa, informed Lusa agency that the battle against the flames was “progressing favorably”, with no houses at risk, but that the number of personnel in the field increased from 180 to 198, supported by 48 ground resources and nine aerial means.
The fight against the fire that broke out today in a forest area of Castelo Branco was proceeding favorably as of 7:00 PM, according to Civil Protection.
The fire broke out around 5:00 PM in the villages of Almaceda and Padrão, in the municipality and district of Castelo Branco, and by 7:00 PM, it was still active, with more resources on the way, indicated the same Civil Protection source.
José Costa stated that “some precipitation and thunderstorm” occurred in the Castelo Branco area but that the causes of the fire remain unknown for now, with an investigation to be conducted by the competent authorities later.
The operations officer added that the fire burning in Alvorão, Torres Novas, was being fought by 109 personnel, supported by 29 vehicles and three aerial means as of 7:00 PM.
The same source also stated that the fire in Alpalhão, municipality of Nisa, was declared under control by 6:18 PM, with 92 personnel remaining on-site, supported by 30 vehicles and three aerial means.
Due to the heatwave hitting the country, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed seven mainland districts under red alert, from today until Tuesday: Lisbon, Setúbal, Santarém, Évora, Beja, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre.
The remaining districts are under orange (the second most severe) and yellow alerts, varying over the days from today until Tuesday.
