In a note sent today to the Lusa agency, the Municipality of Sintra warns that “as a result of the adverse weather conditions and very high risk of forest fire, and in order to guarantee the safeguarding of the natural and cultural heritage and the safety of people and goods, the forest perimeter of the serra de Sintra will be closed between 00:00 and 23:59 on Sunday (August 6th)”.

“Monuments located in forest areas will also be closed”.

In view of this decision by the municipality, until 23:59 on Sunday, access, movement and staying inside forest spaces (people and vehicles) is prohibited, as well as on forest paths, rural paths and other roads that cross them.

"Excluded from this ban are vehicles belonging to residents and companies headquartered there, rescue vehicles, emergency vehicles and entities that are part of the Municipal Civil Protection System", explains the council.

The monuments of Sintra located in the prohibited area will also remain closed, namely the Park and National Palace of Pena, Moorish Castle, Sanctuary of Peninha, Convent of the Capuchos, Chalet of the Countess D'Edla, Park and Palace of Monserrate and Quinta da Regaleira .

The National Palace of Vila de Sintra and the National Palace of Queluz remain open during this period, without any change to their usual operation, informs the municipality of Sintra.

The municipality recalls that the Sintra mountain range “is part of a protection region classified as sensitive to the risk of forest fire, characterized by a high number of visitors” and that, for this reason, “it is essential to safeguard its protection, maintenance and conservation , considered objectives of the public interest, of global, national and municipal scope”.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) put the Lisbon district on red notice today between 10:00 and 18:00 on Sunday due to the heat, with temperatures expected between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius.

According to the IPMA, on Sunday and Monday, temperatures in the city of Lisbon can reach values between 39 and 41 degrees, while the minimum temperature will vary between 20 and 22 degrees.