FireWatch Europe
When is wildfire season in Portugal?
Risk is highest from June through September, peaking in July and August. Central Portugal has historically been among the hardest-hit regions, though the risk extends nationwide during hot, dry, windy spells.
What causes wildfires in Portugal?
A combination of factors: widespread rural land abandonment has increased dry vegetation and fuel loads, and large eucalyptus and pine plantations burn easily and spread fire quickly. Most ignitions are human in origin — agricultural burning, machinery, discarded cigarettes — with a smaller share deliberately started. Hot, dry, windy conditions turn any of these into fast-moving fires.
How to stay safe
- Follow alerts from ANEPC (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil) and your local municipality.
- Avoid burning waste or using open flames outdoors during fire season — this is restricted or banned in many municipalities.
- If you live in or visit a wooded or rural area, have an evacuation plan and know your routes in advance.
- Call 112 immediately if you spot smoke or fire, and follow local authority instructions without delay.
- Never attempt to fight a wildfire yourself.
Official resources
- 112 — emergency number (works throughout Portugal and the EU).
- ANEPC — national civil protection agency.
Live wildfire map for Portugal
The map below shows the same live, satellite-detected hotspot data as the main FireWatch Europe map, centered on Portugal.
Sources
- EFFIS Annual Fire Reports (European Commission Joint Research Centre / Copernicus)
- June 2017 Portugal wildfires — background on the Pedrógão Grande disaster referenced above