Navigating the 2026 Wildfire Season Together
As the summer sun beats down on the Algarve, our beautiful region and the rest of mainland Portugal are facing a severe heatwave. With temperatures soaring above 40°C, very low humidity, and strong winds reaching up to 80 km/h, the entire mainland has been placed under a government State of Alert for rural fire danger.
Here at Tomorrow magazine, we want to ensure our community stays safe, informed, and prepared. Here is an update on what local authorities in Portimão are doing to protect us, alongside essential background on the 2026 fire season and how you can help avert disaster.
Portimão’s Readiness and Response
In response to the escalating national risk, the Portimão Municipal Civil Protection Commission (CMPC) convened an extraordinary meeting on Friday, 3 July 2026, to assess the situation and implement preventive measures. Acknowledging the severe conditions, the municipality has been taking anticipatory action, pre-positioning human and material resources.
Crucially, Portimão’s Special Readiness State was elevated to Level IV, effective from 4 July through to midnight on 6 July. While the Municipal Emergency Plan has not yet needed to be activated, local authorities are closely monitoring the situation around the clock from the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Centre.
The Câmara is also looking out for our most vulnerable residents. Measures include providing air-conditioned spaces for thermal comfort, activating public water network points for hydration, and actively monitoring those experiencing social isolation or lacking adequate cooling at home.
The 2026 Wildfire Picture in Portugal
If you have been following the news, you will know that this is proving to be a particularly dangerous year for wildfires in Portugal. The area burned so far in 2026 is roughly double what it was at the same point last year. This is largely due to the aftermath of Storm Kristin, which felled millions of trees and left a heavy load of dead timber on the ground, creating highly combustible fuel for fires.
While coastal cities and beach resorts in the Algarve remain largely unaffected and operating normally, the northern and central interior of the country is at the highest risk. On 2 July alone, well over a thousand firefighters were mobilised to tackle dozens of fires. The most devastating blaze so far has been in Vouzela (Viseu district), which broke out on 3 July and rapidly consumed 11,000 hectares of land.
The situation grew so severe that Portugal activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 3 July. International aid swiftly arrived to support local firefighters, including 118 personnel and 45 vehicles from Spain, as well as water-bombing Canadair aircraft from Italy.
How We Can Avert Risks and Stay Safe
With the authorities warning that human negligence causes about two-thirds of rural fires, the Portimão Câmara and the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) are urging everyone to collaborate. Here is what you need to know to keep our community safe:
Fire Prevention Rules:
- No Open Fires: Extensive burning, lighting fires for food preparation in rural areas, and burning piles of debris are strictly prohibited during this alert.
- Halt Machinery: The use of brush cutters, shredders, and agricultural or forestry machinery is banned in rural areas, as sparks can easily ignite dry vegetation.
- Vehicle Safety: Never throw cigarette butts out of car windows and avoid parking your vehicle on dry grass, as the heat from the exhaust can start a fire.
- Protect Your Property: Keep the area surrounding your home free of dry vegetation, and ensure firewood, gas cylinders, and other flammable materials are stored safely away from the house.
Personal Health and Safety:
- Stay Hydrated and Cool: The Directorate-General of Health (DGS) recommends drinking at least 1.5 litres of water a day, eating light meals, and applying high-factor sunscreen. Check in on elderly neighbours and children to ensure they are coping with the heat.
- Be Vigilant: If you spot a fire or a column of smoke, do not assume someone else has reported it. Call 112 immediately.
- Follow Instructions: If authorities order an evacuation or close a road, comply at once. Never drive towards a fire out of curiosity.
By staying informed, respecting the bans, and looking out for one another, we can help our brave emergency services and ensure a safe summer for everyone in Portimão and the wider Algarve.
Stay safe, stay cool, and keep checking the IPMA website for daily local fire-risk updates.
