The Foreign Office is warning that Portugal is in a ‘state of contingency’ until midnight on Friday due to exceptionally high temperatures and an increased risk of forest fires.
Already, 29 people have been injured in more than 125 fires that have broken out across Portugal in the last four days.
Temperatures are due to hit 45C in parts of the country today, with the hottest area likely to be in the region from Lisbon to the Algarve.
In an update to its travel advice last night, the Foreign Office said: “Mainland Portugal is in a state of contingency until midnight on 15 July due to exceptionally high temperatures and a heightened risk of forest fires.
“Measures in place include a ban on:
- Walking through or remaining in woodland areas, including forest, woodland and rural trails
- Burning garden and other agricultural waste
- Clearing agricultural land by resorting to burning
- Using garden and farm machinery in or near woodland areas
- Setting off fireworks
“During the state of contingency, you can be prosecuted if you do not comply with these restrictions or if you do not follow the instructions of the civil protection and police authorities.”
It also warned that the Portuguese authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons.
Emergency crews are also tackling wildfires that have broken out in Spain and in France, including a large forest fire in the southeast.
