Portuguese Government Extends Nationwide Alert Amid Severe Wildfire Risk
The Portuguese government announced today the extension of the "situação de alerta," or state of alert, for all of mainland Portugal until Sunday. The decision comes in response to persistent adverse weather conditions, including very high temperatures, low air humidity, and strong winds, which collectively create a very high to maximum risk of rural fires. This measure maintains a series of exceptional rules that temporarily restrict access to and work in forest and rural areas, impacting landowners, agricultural operations, and the general public.
In a statement from the Ministry of Internal Administration, it was clarified that the extension is a necessary preventative measure. "The current meteorological forecast requires that we maintain a high level of vigilance and response capability," a ministry official stated. "The restrictions in place have already contributed to a relative decrease in fire ignitions, and their continuation is essential to protect communities and ecosystems." The state of alert allows for the continued reinforcement of operational readiness among civil protection and security forces.
As part of the directive, all access, circulation, and permanence within forest spaces, as defined in municipal defense plans, are strictly prohibited. This ban extends to all forest tracks and rural roads that cross these areas. Furthermore, all authorizations for controlled burns and the burning of agricultural residues have been suspended. The use of any type of machinery within forest areas is forbidden, with the only exception being for official firefighting operations. In other rural zones, the use of machinery such as metal-blade brush cutters, shredders, and tractors with front-loading blades is also banned to prevent accidental sparks.
The regulations also impose a complete ban on the use of fireworks or any other pyrotechnic articles, regardless of their combustion type. These prohibitions are legally binding under the Civil Protection Basic Law. However, the government has outlined specific exemptions for essential and inadiável (non-postponable) activities. These include the feeding and watering of livestock, essential crop treatments, and harvesting, provided they occur in irrigated zones or areas clear of flammable materials. Manual cork extraction and honey harvesting are also permitted if they do not involve smoke-generating tools.
Essential civil construction projects may proceed if adequate fire mitigation measures are adopted. In a critical concession to the agricultural and forestry sectors, the use of harvesting machinery and forestry operations like cutting and transport are permitted, but only within a restricted timeframe, from sunset until 11:00 in the morning. Any such activity must be communicated in advance to the respective Municipal Civil Protection Service to ensure oversight.
The state of alert triggers a broader mobilization of national resources. The Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) and Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) will maintain an elevated level of readiness, reinforcing surveillance patrols and enforcement actions. The interruption of vacation leave and suspension of rest days for personnel in these forces is authorized to ensure maximum deployment. Medical emergency teams, public health services, and social support staff are also on heightened alert. Forester sapper teams and the National Corps of Forest Agents remain permanently mobilized.
Duarte da Costa, President of the Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil (ANEPC), confirmed the operational status. "All our resources, along with those of our partners, are positioned to respond swiftly. The GNR will continue aerial surveillance using Armed Forces assets, focusing on districts with the highest risk levels," he noted. The alert also has implications for the workforce, as volunteer firefighters are granted justified absence from their jobs in either the public or private sector to ensure their availability, with exceptions for those in critical health or security roles.
The ANEPC will continue to issue public warnings regarding the fire danger, and the Armed Forces have made aerial resources available for deployment as determined by the ANEPC. The government has emphasized that these measures are temporary but crucial for national security and public safety during this period of extreme weather. The situation will be re-evaluated at the end of the weekend based on updated meteorological data.
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