Seven of the region’s 16 councils have been placed under maximum fire alert, ranging from Aljezur in the west to Castro Marim in the east.

Other areas in Portugal under the highest level of fire warnings are Beja, Castelo Branco, Santarém, Leiria, Portalegre, Guarda, Viseu and Coimbra.

The wildfire alerts are issued every morning by the Portuguese Met Office and are based on prevailing weather conditions.