Heat and fire hazard in Portugal prompts Kuwaiti Embassy to advise caution
In response to the ongoing heatwave affecting Portugal, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lisbon has provided a 24-hour emergency contact number (+351916666645) for any inquiries or assistance needed during this period. The embassy's statement was issued on Friday, but no updates have been provided since then.
The embassy's advice is a response to the increased wildfire risk in several regions of Portugal, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 44°C in some locations. The Instituto Portugueš do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) has issued a maximum-level alert for rural fire danger in various inland parts of northern and central Portugal. However, the specific regions under the maximum-level alert have not been identified.
During this severe fire season, all residents, including Kuwaiti citizens, are advised to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines to minimise the risk of wildfires. Here are some key recommendations:
- Sign up for local emergency alerts and monitor media reports continuously to stay updated on wildfire developments and fire danger levels.
- Know and map multiple evacuation routes in your area. Have a clear plan in place for quick evacuation if necessary.
- Check on neighbours, especially those who might lack language skills or transport, to ensure their preparedness and ability to evacuate quickly.
- Exercise normal safety precautions, such as staying indoors with windows and doors closed when fires occur nearby, and shutting off any fresh air intake in your home.
- In rural or high fire-risk areas, strictly follow restrictions on activities like burning waste, using machinery, or having barbecues, especially during “Very High” or “Highest” rural fire danger days. Registration of waste burning is mandatory.
- Property owners must maintain a 50-metre vegetation buffer zone around homes by April 30 annually to reduce fire risk. Renters should check that landlords comply with this rule, as insurance claims can be denied if it’s neglected.
- Emergency contacts (including for firefighting, medical, and police) are all reached by calling 112 in Portugal.
- Remain vigilant during heatwaves that push temperatures over 40°C, as high temperatures and strong winds can rapidly intensify fires.
- Avoid panic but be prepared; individual readiness cannot be replaced by any system.
The embassy has emphasised the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and instructions released by Portuguese authorities. Kuwaiti citizens residing in or visiting Portugal have been advised to exercise heightened caution due to soaring temperatures and increased wildfire risk. However, the embassy's advice does not specify whether it is applicable to foreign nationals beyond Kuwaiti citizens.
The extreme heatwave is expected to persist until next Wednesday, and the embassy's advice for Kuwaiti citizens to avoid affected areas where fire danger is high remains applicable in light of the IPMA's maximum-level alert. The embassy's statement does not include any additional safety measures beyond adhering to guidelines and instructions released by Portuguese authorities.
Stay safe and vigilant, and let's hope for cooler temperatures soon!
The embassy's advice for Kuwaiti citizens to exercise caution is particularly relevant given the ongoing climate-change-induced heatwave in Portugal, which has led to a high wildfire risk. To effectively monitor weather patterns and potential climate-change effects, it would be beneficial for more research in the field of environmental-science and weather-forecasting.
