The Lisbon City Council will close 13 forest areas in the city starting at midnight this Friday, July 3, due to the increased risk of wildfires. The measure follows the state of alert declared by the government for the entire mainland, which prohibits access to and movement within forest areas until Monday, the 6th.
Reason for the alert
The government has declared a state of alert for the entire mainland, effective from 12:00 a.m. this Friday until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, due to forecasts of high temperatures and a “significant increase in the risk of rural fires.” According to the IPMA, maximum temperatures are expected to reach between 35 and 41°C across most of the country, potentially reaching 41–44°C in the Tagus Valley and the Alentejo, during a prolonged period of hot and dry weather.
Closed Areas
Access to and movement within the following forest areas in the city are prohibited: Monsanto Forest Park, Tapada da Ajuda, Tapada das Necessidades, Bela Vista Park, Quinta das Conchas e Lilases, Vale Fundão Park, José Gomes Ferreira Park, Chelas Central Park, Encosta da Calçada de Carriche, Vale do Silêncio Park, Mata da Madre de Deus Park, Moinhos de Santana Park, and Silva Porto Park.
Operational Reinforcements in Lisbon
The City Council reports that the Municipal Police, the Fire Brigade, and the city’s volunteer fire departments have been reinforced and are on standby to carry out prevention efforts, surveillance, inspection, and patrol operations, and to respond to any incidents.
In light of the red alert for high temperatures, including overnight, three Lisbon Metro stations (Rossio, Oriente, and Santa Apolónia) will remain open throughout the night to provide shelter for the homeless. The City Council has also identified two locations that could serve as temporary shelters in cases of extreme necessity: the Casal Vistoso Pavilion and the Manuel Castelbranco Pavilion. Any decision to put these spaces into operation will be made in coordination with the Directorate-General for Health.
Measures in effect nationwide
During the alert period, exceptional measures are in effect throughout the country, including restrictions on the use of machinery in rural areas and a ban on controlled burns and other activities likely to cause fires. According to the government, about two-thirds of rural fires are caused by negligent behavior; therefore, the use of equipment that could produce sparks or heat in areas with dry vegetation is still discouraged.
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