Wildfire Risk Alert

13 AUG – 16 AUG | Countrywide Risk (see map for details)

Due to increased risk posed by wildfires across the country, the Portuguese government has declared a state of alert beginning noon Friday 13 August 2021 until Monday 16 August for the following districts: Beja, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Portalegre, Santarém, Setúbal, Vila Real, and Viseu.

Additionally, the local weather service has indicated hot dry temperatures throughout the country, which may exacerbate the risk of wildfires. As a result, the majority of the country will be considered at “extreme risk”, “very high risk”, or “high risk” for the remainder of the weekend.

Please refer to this Risk Level Map for district level detail.

The following exceptional measures will be implemented:

    1. Prohibition of access: certain forest spaces previously defined in the Municipal Fire Protection Plans, as well as in forest paths, rural paths and other roads that cross them, may be closed.
    2. Fires: Prohibition of carrying out fires, bonfires, and controlled burning.
    3. Industrial Work: Prohibition of carrying out work in forest areas using any type of machinery, with the exception of those associated with rural firefighting situations.
    4. Certain Lumber Activities: Prohibition of carrying out work in other rural areas using metal blade or disc mowers, brush cutters, shredders and machines with blades or front shovel.
    5. Fireworks: Total ban on the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic artifacts, regardless of their form of combustion, as well as the suspension of permits that have been issued in the districts where the Orange Level Special Alert Status has been declared by ANEPC.