The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has also placed the municipalities of Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Silves, Loulé, Alcoutim and Castro Marim (Faro) at very high risk of fire.

More than 30 municipalities in the districts of Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Beja and Faro are now at high risk of fire.

The IPMA predicts for the next few days a rise in temperatures with values above 30 degrees Celsius, with the risk of fire being between “maximum and very high” in the interior North, Center and Algarve from Thursday.

On Tuesday, in a statement, the IPMA indicated that the gradual rise in temperature, in particular the maximum values, is associated with “a warm air mass, originating in North Africa”, which will progressively reach mainland Portugal in the coming days.

The IPMA predicts that the highest values of the maximum temperature will “very likely” occur on Thursday “in the interior of the South region, Ribatejo and Beira Baixa, ranging between 33 and 35°C, and may very locally reach 37°C”.

The minimum temperatures today will fluctuate between 10 degrees Celsius (in Bragança) and 19 (in Faro) and the maximum between 21 (in Viana do Castelo) and 33 (in Beja).