The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection alerted the population to meteorological conditions favorable to the occurrence of rural fires, due to the forecast of continuation of hot and dry weather and increased wind intensity. The statement indicates that an aggravation of fire danger is expected, with conditions favorable to the rapid spread of flames and increased difficulty in suppression actions, particularly in the most affected regions.
According to forecasts from the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius are expected in the interior of the southern region and in the Tagus valley, relative air humidity below 30 percent in the interior with poor recovery during the night, and a gradual increase in wind intensity on the west coast and in the highlands of the northern and central interior. The rural fire danger will be very high to maximum, especially in the interior and in the Algarve.
As preventive measures, ANEPC stated that extensive burnings are prohibited and that, on days of very high and maximum danger, burning of piles and the use of fire to cook food in rural areas is not permitted, except in expressly authorized locations. It is also prohibited to use brush cutters, brush mowers and shredders, as well as fumigation or disinfection in apiaries, unless the fumigators have spark arrestor devices.
ANEPC emphasized the importance of adapting behaviors and attitudes to the danger situation, calling for the adoption of necessary prevention and precaution measures by the population.
