Increased Algarve Fire Danger Alert Issued

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a series of warnings due to the elevated fire risk across several districts in Portugal. The current fire danger levels, calculated from factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and recent rainfall, are causing concern due to the increasing threat of rural fires.

In the Faro district, the maximum fire danger level has been declared in the municipalities of Loulé, São Brás de Alportel, and Tavira in the Algarve region. This level, the highest on the scale, signals an extreme risk of rural fires. Over 20 municipalities spread across the districts of Bragança, Guarda, Viseu, and Castelo Branco are also classified as being at maximum fire danger risk.

Many municipalities in the northern and central interior and the Algarve face a very high risk, with additional municipalities in Alentejo and along the northern coast currently at high risk levels. A yellow warning, indicating heightened vigilance due to heat and fire risk, is in place for the districts of Bragança, Viseu, Évora, Guarda, Vila Real, Beja, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre from 9:00 AM Tuesday to 6:00 PM Wednesday.

Stronger winds are expected on the west coast and highlands of the mainland, while a slight rise in temperatures is forecasted for the mainland, except for the central coast region where a slight drop is expected. Morning fog is possible on the mainland, and the IPMA predicts partly cloudy or clear skies for the mainland today. Minimum temperatures on the mainland will range from 12 degrees Celsius (in Guarda) to 18 degrees Celsius (in Aveiro and Lisbon), with maximum temperatures ranging from 23 degrees Celsius (in Viana do Castelo) to 28 degrees Celsius (in Santarém and Bragança).

In Madeira Island, light showers are possible in the highlands and on the northern slopes, with generally cloudy skies for the archipelago, gradually decreasing in cloudiness from the morning onwards. In Porto Santo, temperatures will range from 19 to 25 degrees Celsius, while in Funchal, temperatures will range from 21 to 27 degrees Celsius. Light to moderate winds are expected in the Madeira archipelago. A slight drop in maximum temperatures is forecasted for the Madeira archipelago.

The IPMA's fire danger determination is based on the aforementioned factors, and the rural fire danger is expected to increase starting Tuesday due to a rise in temperatures and will remain high at least until the weekend in some districts. For detailed, daily updates and specific regulations regarding forestry and agricultural activities related to fire risk, IPMA maintains an official platform regularly updated with current warnings and restrictions.

[1] Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), (2025). Fire Danger Levels and Warnings. Retrieved from https://www.ipma.pt/pt/previsao-do-tempo/previsao-de-incendios-florestais [2] Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), (2025). Fire Risk Map. Retrieved from https://www.ipma.pt/pt/previsao-do-tempo/previsao-de-incendios-florestais/mapa-de-incendios-florestais [3] Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), (2025). Fire Danger Classification System. Retrieved from https://www.ipma.pt/pt/previsao-do-tempo/previsao-de-incendios-florestais/sistema-de-classificacao-de-perigo-de-incendios-florestais [4] Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), (2025). Fire Danger Levels and Warnings for Madeira Island. Retrieved from https://www.ipma.pt/pt/previsao-do-tempo/previsao-de-incendios-florestais/madeira/alertas-de-incendios-florestais

The Algarve region, specifically the municipalities of Loulé, São Brás de Alportel, and Tavira, are at a maximum fire danger level, as declared by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Environmental scientists and meteorologists from the IPMA are closely monitoring the fire risk in Portugal, including the districts of Bragança, Viseu, Évora, Guarda, Vila Real, Beja, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre, due to the heightened danger of rural fires.
In addition to the Algarve, several municipalities in Madeira Island, such as Porto Santo and Funchal, are also under the watch of the IPMA due to the increased risk of wildfires, with light showers possible in the highlands and on the northern slopes.