"We estimate that about 1,500 hectares of rural area has been burned, but we are still assessing on the ground, both the burned area and the damage and buildings affected by the fire", said the mayor of Silves, Rosa Palma.

According to the mayor, the fire destroyed a property in the Azilheira area.

"The reconstruction of this property is a situation that we classify as a priority, but there may be others that we are not yet aware of".

Rosa Palma highlighted the importance of the survey being carried out in the area affected by the flames to know for sure what burned, among "housings, animals, agricultural crops and other essential goods for people".

The fire, which broke out at around 9:00 am on Tuesday, broke out in the early afternoon of Monday in the village of Fica Bem, in the parish of São Marcos da Serra and spread to the parish of São Bartolomeu de Messines, both in the municipality of Silves.

Due to the rapid spread of the fire, Civil Protection ordered the preventive evacuation of people from various villages and dwellings scattered across the region's barrocal and mountains, with a total of 82 people evacuated from their homes.

Rosa Palma said that people "have returned to their homes as security measures are being assessed".

The fire, which is now considered to be in conclusion, caused the closure of road traffic for several hours on the sections between Ourique (Beja) and São Bartolomeu de Messines (Faro) of the Autoestrada do Sul (A2) and Complementary Itinerary (IC) 1.

According to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), at 10:30, 417 personnel were still on the ground, supported by 138 vehicles.