Abiul, Ponte da Barca and Baião the most complicated

More than 1,000 firefighters are battling 13 active wildfires early this morning in the districts of Leiria, Viana do Castelo and Porto.

According to data availabble on the ANEPC (Civil Protection authority) site, the fire that began a week ago in Vale de Pia, in Abiul, Pombal (Leiria district) is the one requiring most manpower and appliances right now (434 firefighters/ 102 appliances).

The second most pressing blaze is one that began shortly before midnight on Tuesday in Cidadelhe, the parish of Lindoso, Ponte de Barca (Viana do Castelo district); third being an incident in Teixeira, Baião (Porto district).

The rest of the 35 fires still on authorities’ list are either in phases of resolution, or conclusion – meaning they are technically out, but could reignite, depending on atmospheric conditions and control.

Five districts remain under red warning for high temperatures today (see breaking news box); five others are on orange (Coimbra, Viseu, Santarém, Evora and Beja) while the rest of the country has dropped to yellow, meaning temperatures are gradually reducing.

Updates to come through the day.