Expats Urged to Prepare as Portugal Braces for Severe Wildfire Week

A surge of hot winds, crispy vegetation and a stubborn high-pressure system have combined to place wide swathes of mainland Portugal on the brink of another difficult wildfire week. Emergency maps lit up in deep red for the Algarve’s inland hills, and similar alerts now blanket large pockets of the north-eastern Trás-os-Montes region and the central districts of Castelo Branco, Coimbra and Leiria. For international residents who swapped colder climates for Portugal’s sun, the message is simple: the country’s most cherished summer playgrounds may again turn dangerous in a matter of hours.

What’s driving the latest spike?

Meteorologists at the national weather office, Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), blame a continental heat dome that refuses to budge. Daytime temperatures in the interior have hovered between 38 °C and 42 °C, while overnight lows remain too warm for vegetation to regain moisture. Combine that with wind gusts topping 40 km/h along ridge lines and the recipe for fast-moving fires is complete.

A geography lesson for newcomers

Portugal’s postcard beaches frequently distract first-time visitors from the fact that 70% of the national territory is classed as rural woodland. The Algarve’s coastal strip may be safe enough for evening strolls, yet just 20 minutes inland lie the Serra de Monchique and Barrocal zones—steep, eucalyptus-covered slopes that have burned repeatedly since the late 90s. Up north, the granite valleys of Montalegre and Bragança face similar hazards, while the central Pinhal Interior still bears scars from the 2017 Pedrógão Grande tragedy that claimed 66 lives.

Why foreign homeowners should care

Insurance policies issued abroad rarely cover wildfire damage in Portugal. Local insurers do, but only if owners comply with the 30-metre vegetation-clearing buffer mandated by law around every residential structure. Failure to prove that annual pruning was completed can void coverage. Authorities began issuing on-the-spot fines of €280 to €10 000 this spring after drone patrols spotted non-compliant properties.

Government and local response

Lisbon’s civil-protection agency (ANEPC) has pre-deployed 12 Canadair aircraft and 9 000 firefighters nationwide, with a concentration in the Algarve and the central mountains. Volunteer fire brigades in Loulé, Portimão and Vila Real de Santo António have placed additional English-speaking staff on call, a direct response to the rising expatriate population. Meanwhile, GNR emergency alerts are now issued in Portuguese and English via the 112M mobile app, a free download worth having if you hike or drive through forested areas.

Lessons from last year’s tourism season

The summer of 2024 brought more than 130 000 hectares of burnt land—the worst tally since 2017—but also showcased improvements in evacuation protocols. Tour operators in the Algarve now offer SMS evacuation notices to guests; short-term rental hosts are encouraged to maintain grab-and-go kits including local maps, bottled water and FFP2 masks for smoke exposure.

Personal preparedness checklist

Staying safe rarely hinges on heroics. Keep passports, property deeds and medication in a single pouch near the exit. Photograph rooms for insurance claims before you depart on day trips. Program 800 206 226 (ANEPC wildfire hotline) into your phone, and practice a two-route escape plan that avoids ridge-top roads prone to sudden closures.

The broader climate picture

IPMA notes that the fire season has expanded by roughly 40 days since the early 2000s, a trend linked to the Mediterranean’s shifting rainfall patterns. Scientists warn that without aggressive re-forestation with native sobreiro (cork oak) and medronheiro (strawberry tree), Portugal could lose up to 1 M hectares of mixed woodland by 2050.

Bottom line for expats

Portugal offers an enviable lifestyle, but the idyll comes with seasonal vigilance. Monitor daily risk maps, respect access bans on forest roads and don’t wait for a knock on the door to move valuables. A well-packed weekend bag may prove your best summer accessory.