Bragança, Viseu, and Castelo Branco councils face significant fire hazard
In the coming days, Portugal is bracing for a heightened risk of rural fires, with the government declaring a "state of alert" across the continental territory of the country. The Instituto do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) has issued a fire alert that is active from midnight on August 7 until 23:59 on August 7.
According to the IPMA's forecast, the wind will blow generally weak from the east, with stronger gusts in the highlands until mid-morning. From the late afternoon, the wind direction on the western coast will temporarily blow moderately from the northwest. These wind patterns, combined with hot weather, could potentially contribute to the spread of fires.
The alert is extended to almost all municipalities in the districts of Vila Real, Braga, Porto, Santarém, and Faro. The highest fire risk alert has been issued for Portalegre, which includes five municipalities. The maximum level is issued when meteorological conditions, such as extreme heat and low humidity, significantly increase the danger of ignition and spread of fires.
Generally clear skies are expected today, with more cloudiness in the western coastal strip. The western coastal strip will experience more cloudiness today, and the maximum temperature on the western coast is expected to rise. The remaining municipalities of continental Portugal are at very high and high fire risk.
Some coastal municipalities, such as Esposende in Braga, are at reduced and moderate fire risk. The risk of rural fires is determined by the IPMA. Research shows a substantial increase in wildfire danger in southwestern Europe in 2022, with a much larger burnt area compared to previous years. However, detailed fire risk levels and specific exceptions for coastal vs. continental municipalities in Portugal during August 2022 are not provided in these sources.
The government's decision to declare a state of alert follows a trend seen in 2025, when regions such as the Algarve (southern coastal area) and northern and central parts of Portugal were under maximum or very high fire risk due to persistent high temperatures. Some preventive measures were implemented in 2025, including the closure of monuments in the Sintra Hills (near Lisbon, on the coast) because of very high rural fire risk during early August 2025.
The IPMA predicts hot weather today, with maximum temperatures predicted for today ranging from 28 degrees in Aveiro to 42 degrees in Évora and Santarém. The public is urged to exercise caution and adhere to any fire safety guidelines issued by local authorities. For precise information on August 2022, consulting archived official reports or records from Portuguese fire authorities (such as the National Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests - ICNF) would be necessary.
- What is the government's response to the heightened risk of rural fires in Portugal this year? They have declared a "state of alert" across the continental territory, following a trend seen in 2025 when similar regions were under maximum or very high fire risk.
- In the context of climate-change, the science community warns of a substantial increase in wildfire danger in southwestern Europe in 2022, with a much larger burnt area compared to previous years. This is a concerning development in the realm of environmental-science.
- As Portugal braces for hot weather and high fire risk, policy-and-legislation and the dynamics of politics play a crucial role in ensuring appropriate fire safety guidelines are issued and adhered to by the general-news consuming public.
