Fire risk is growing in Portugal: more than 80 municipalities are at maximum danger level

As hot and dry weather continues in Portugal, the rural fire danger has increased even more.

According to September 22 data from IPMA, more than 80 municipalities in nine regions on the Portuguese mainland are at maximum fire danger, the highest level of the five-tier system.

This number was just over 60 the day before.

Which regions are in maximum danger?

The nine regions with the maximum number of municipalities are as follows:

bragança

viseu

Guarda

coimbra

Leiria

Castelo Branco

Santarem

portalegre

Faro

This does not mean that all nine regions are at maximum risk.

IPMA makes the classification on a municipal basis.

Additionally, almost all regions on the mainland have municipalities in high or very high fire danger.

The risk may last until the end of the week

The current situation is not limited to Tuesday, September 22.

Rural fire danger may remain at very high levels in some regions until at least Sunday, according to IPMA.

Proteção Civil also maintains its special preparation level at Level III due to the current meteorological conditions.

This level requires response teams and operational resources to be maintained at a higher state of readiness.

Staying high at night is also a problem.

Daytime temperatures are not the only determining factor in firefighting.

Proteção Civil believes that warm nights and low humidity help extinguish fires. He points out that it makes it difficult.

When strong winds are added to this, the fire's progress rate can also increase.

Hot weather warnings continue

Simultaneously with the risk of fire, IPMA's yellow warnings continue in many regions of Portugal due to hot weather.

Current temperature warnings in Braga, Aveiro, Coimbra, Santarém, Viana do Castelo, Lisboa, Leiria and Porto last until 18:00 today.

In Viseu, Évora, Castelo Branco and Portalegre, the warning is on Wednesday at 18.00; It continues until 05.00 on Thursday in Bragança, Guarda and Vila Real.

Check your own municipality

Fire danger changes daily and by municipality.

For this reason, those living in rural areas or planning outdoor work, walking or agricultural activities should check their municipalities on IPMA's current map.

“Maximum danger” does not mean that a fire will definitely occur; It represents the highest risk class in terms of fire starting and rapid spread under current weather and terrain conditions.

Resources

IPMA — Perigo de Incêndio Rural

https://www.ipma.pt/pt/riscoincendio/rcm.pt/pir-by-date.jsp

RTP / Lusa — 22 September 2026

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/mais-de-80-concelhos-de-nove-distritos-em-perigo-maximo_n1766922

ANEPC

https://prociv.gov.pt/