Advice applies to mainland, particularly north, centre and Algarve
ANEPC national emergency and civil protection has put a moratorium on the use of chainsaws/ outdoor equipment that could spark a wildfire and field burnings during the coming days, due to another heatwave.
Surprisingly nothing has been said about forests being off-limits, and / or driving through them.
For the time being, the advice being put out is that “more than 60 municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Portalegre and Faro are currently at maximum risk of rural fires.
“Several others in the northern and central interior and the Algarve are in very high danger, while the remaining regions of the mainland are in high danger.
“The risk of rural fires will increase over the next few days, at least until the end of next week”.
In its statement, ANEPC reminds people that BBQs in rural areas are off-limits (except in authorized areas), as is any actions of fumigating or disinfecting apiaries (except if there are “spark retention devices”). The authority also urges people to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day (eight glasses); apply sunscreen with a factor of over 30 every two hours; wear “a hat and light, loose, and cool clothing”; and opt for “light, fresh meals.”
ANEPC’s advice extends to paying “extra attention to vulnerable people, such as chronically ill people, children and the elderly.”
According to meteorological authority IPMA, in some places temperatures could reach around 40ºC.
Source: LUSA
