Public appeals have been launched and private initiatives organised for everything ranging from essential provisions like water and cereal bars, to socks, burns cream, and veterinary care for injured animals.

Officially, the Monchique Municipal Civil Protection Service has appealed for small bottles of water, cereal bars and energy drinks, which should be dropped off at main neighbouring fire stations outside Monchique, such as Portimão, Silves, Lagoa and Aljezur, whose men and women will transport the supplies up to firefighters in Monchique.

Well-wishers are asked not to attempt to travel to Monchique themselves with individual deliveries.

Appeals have also been made for fruit and milk and ointments for burns.

According to Barlavento newspaper, there is also an appeal for anyone who would like to volunteer to help make meals, to be taken to the field for the firefighters.

A provisional kitchen has been set up at the Júdice Fialho Basic School in Portimão, with the objective of preparing 7200 meals a day, covering main meals and snacks.

The fire that broke out on Friday in the area of Perna Negra and spread over a large part of Monchique is currently being fought by 1150 men and women, supported by 342 vehicles and 15 aircraft, from eight different entities, according to information updated by the website of Civil Protection at 2.08pm this Tuesday afternoon.

The fire is still being described as “out of control” by national media, and has spread to Portimão and Silves, with several pockets of local communities having been evacuated throughout the day today.

Various fronts are flaring up, with the wind seeming to push the fire in various different directions.