Góis borders on Pedrógão Grande and Castanheira de Pera where over 60 people were killed at the weekend, mostly as they tried to escape the flames in their cars and were cut off by the fires.

Local mayor, Lurdes Castanheira, told Lusa News Agency on Tuesday that the situation was “serious” but it could quickly become “highly serious” as it was proving so hard to combat the flames.

At lunch time on Tuesday she said the high temperatures and strong wind was helping spread the blaze through the council.

She added that 56 elderly had to be removed from a home in nearby Cabreira.