Portugal: Maximum fire alerts across Portugal June 20 /update 4

Event

As of Tuesday, June 20, maximum fire alerts remain in effect in most of the far north (Bragança, Guarda), center (Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Santarem, Leira, Portalegre), and south (Beja, Faro) of the country. The rest of Portugal is currently under lesser fire alerts, except coastal areas in the north around Porto.

A map of the affected areas can be found on the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) website.

Context

While forest fires are common every summer in Portugal, this is likely the most deadly forest fire in the country's history. As of June 20, at least 63 people had been killed by the fires that started on June 17 in Pedrógão Grande (Leiria district), quickly spreading across several fronts in the center of the country. Two army battalions have been deployed to assist the approximately 2000 firefighters working to bring fires under control nationwide. France and Spain have both sent fire-fighting planes to assist. The government has declared three days of mourning.

There has been increased risk of wildfires in Portugal as a result of an ongoing heatwave and strong winds

Advice

Individuals in Portugal are advised to monitor developments to the situation. Authorities have advised residents to keep their radios on and to follow all instructions (e.g. potential evacuation orders).