The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) states that according to forecasts provided by the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), over the next 48 hours a gradual rise in the maximum temperature values is expected with Wednesday reaching temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius in the interior of the Alentejo.

Regarding the wind, forecasts point to the north/northwest quadrant, with temporary north-east rotation in the north and centre inland on Tuesday and Wednesday, blowing with strong intensity, constant over the next 48 hours, with gusts of up to 75km/h in the Algarve (particularly Foia and Monchique) and up to 65km/h on the west coast likely to occur.

Relative Air Humidity (HRA) is low and is now below 30% to 35% in the interior of the country “night recovery is not expected to occur in the Algarve and Castelo Branco districts.”

For Tuesday HRA levels are expected to decline, but should not go below 20% in the southern and central interior and below 30% in the northeast.

Given these forecasts, ANEPC warns of the increased risk of fire on Wednesday especially in the northern and central interior and the Algarve region. ANEPC recalls that where the risk of fire is “high” or “very high”, burning of cut and piled thickets and any type of operating surplus is not allowed, it is subject to the authorisation of the local authority, which should define the necessary follow-up, taking into account the risk of the period and zone concerned.

The use of fireplaces and grills in all rural areas is also prohibited, except when used outside critical areas and in duly authorised places, the launching of lit balloons and rockets and the use of fireworks is only allowed with permission of the City Council.