Prolongation of State of Emergency lasts until Friday by the Government
Portugal Extends National State of Alert for Wildfires Amid Persistent Adverse Weather Conditions
Portugal is currently under an extended national state of alert for wildfires, as the country grapples with severe and widespread fires that have burned over 170,000 hectares as of mid-August 2025.
The state of alert, initially declared on August 3, has been extended multiple times to maintain a high level of readiness among emergency services and to continue critical fire prevention restrictions. The current restrictions under the state of alert include a ban on controlled burns, bonfires, use of fireworks, and agricultural or recreational activities in forested and rural areas. Prohibitions on machinery use that could spark fires and suspensions of all permits related to these activities during the alert period are also in place.
To reinforce firefighting capabilities, the government has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, bringing in specialized aircraft from Europe and Morocco. The state of alert is ongoing and expected to continue as long as extreme weather conditions persist, with no fixed end date beyond these rolling extensions.
The government's measure aims to maintain an enhanced operational device and reinforce surveillance and inspection actions by the National Republican Guard (GNR), Public Security Police (PSP), and Armed Forces. Forest Firefighting Teams, the National Forest Agents Corps, and Nature Wardens of the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) are being permanently mobilized.
Access, circulation, and remaining inside the forest areas defined in the Municipal Plans for the Defense of the Forest Against Fires is prohibited. All workers who also serve as volunteer firefighters are exempt from service or justified for absences, except those performing functions in the Armed Forces and Security, Civil Protection, and public service of emergency health care.
The GNR is conducting aerial patrol and inspection actions in districts with very high and maximum fire risk. Civil Protection is issuing communiques regarding wildfires. The state of alert extension is in effect until the end of Friday.
In a bid to prevent the spread of wildfires, the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued orange alerts for several inland districts due to hot weather. The weather conditions are expected to remain adverse until the end of the week. The use of fireworks or any other pyrotechnic material is prohibited. Vacation licenses and holiday/rest periods for operational personnel in the area are being suspended.
Public health emergency medical teams and social support are being increased in readiness level. Fixed and mobile network operators and energy transportation and distribution are being mobilized at a higher level of readiness. Authorizations for conducting work in forest areas using machinery, except when necessary in situations of fighting fires, have been suspended.
The President of the Republic suggested the extension due to the impact of re-ignitions and constant/rare atmospheric conditions. The readiness level of security forces is being elevated for inspection and support operations for rescue protection.
This situation was declared at midnight on August 3, Sunday, and extended for the first time last Thursday (August 7). Conducting burns and burning of agricultural waste is prohibited. The situation of alert has been extended until 23:59 on Friday (August 15).
- The persistent adverse weather conditions, including hot weather, are contributing to climate-change effects and increasing the risk of wildfires, making it crucial for weather forecasting to maintain critical information for emergency services.
- With the ongoing national state of alert for wildfires, environmental-science experts are closely monitoring the impact of the fires on Portugal's ecosystems and biodiversity, as the fires continue to burn over 170,000 hectares as of mid-August 2025.
- To combat the ongoing wildfire crisis, science and technology play a pivotal role in weather-forecasting and fire-fighting efforts, with the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issuing alerts and the activation of specialized aircraft through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
