Wind direction means areas that escaped first blazes are now being affected

Just as authorities warned and feared, extreme temperatures and high winds have caused reignitions in various parts of the country already blighted by days of wildfires.

In the area between the Ourém and Pombal fires, communities have been evacuating this morning as flames bear down on them.

As reporters on the ground have explained, the irony in today’s reignitions is that wind direction has changed, so areas that escaped damage over the weekend are now being affected.

Bit by bit as the day stumbles on through truly unusual atmospheric conditions fires are appearing on the map.

Climatologist Carlos da Câmara says the next few days show no sign of temperatures or conditions becoming any easier. He described the situation as “frankly worrying (…) very complicated”. In Golegã, for example, in the centre of Portugal, temperatures are expected to reach 47ºC tomorrow.

Meantime, it appears the location for the Super Bock Super Rock festival has changed from Meco beach in Sesimbra to Parque das Nações in Lisbon; there is still no decision over the Faro Bikers’ ‘concentration’ in the Algarve.

Lunchtime television reports that under the terms of the Situation of Contingency fire stations are now ‘filling up’ with additional teams of firefighters.

natasha.donn@portugalresident.com