29/07/2026
It's much cooler and the wind is down meaning we have some orange and yellow zones here in the Algarve. That is good news... Have a great day.
RURAL FIRE DANGER AND FIRE WEATHER INDEX FOR TODAY WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY 2026
DECREASE IN FIRE DANGER (PIR) TODAY, with around 55% of the mainland at VERY HIGH and above and remainder at mainly HIGH or MODERATE. Reduced area at MAXIMUM. Algarve at VERY HIGH Continuation of very low minimum humidity in north east mostly at 10 to 15%, centre around 20 – 30%, Algarve and west over 40%. Winds mainly moderate. A toxic combination presenting an extreme risk of fire today for nearly all the mainland.
A total of 105 fires yesterday compared to 139 Monday.
In days with a VERY HIGH or MAXIMUM risk of rural fire, it is essential to adopt preventive behaviours and comply with the restrictions in place.
AVOID RISKY BEHAVIOR
Do not perform burns or other uses of fire. Avoid work that may produce sparks or heat and adopt all preventive measures. Avoid circulating in forest areas. A small oversight can be enough to cause a large fire.
Full restrictions can be downloaded here.https://fogos.icnf.pt/SGIF2010/InformacaoPublicaDados/Restrictions_RuralFireRiskIndex.pdf
NOTE: Burning of cut and piled waste and extensive burns. Between June 1 and October 31, 2026, MANY MUNICIPALITES have imposed BLANKET BANS REGARDLESS OF RISK. THIS SUPERSEDES NORMAL RESTRICTIONS. EXTENSIVE BURNS PROHIBITED.
NOTE: Most municipalities have imposed blanket bans of burning cut and piled waste until October.
FIRE WEATHER INDEX (FWI)
DECREASE IN FWI COMPARED TO YESTERDAY in the southern half of mainland. Around 60% at MAXIMUM or above. Pars of Centre, and north east at EXTREME (Brown) and Guarda and part of Castelo Branco at EXTREME PLUS (Black) as shown on map. These are areas where if a fire starts it may burn with considerable intensity – so be extra vigilant.
The Fire Weather Index (FWI) is a model-based index used worldwide to estimate fire danger. It indicates intensity of potential fires by combining the rate of fire spread with the amount of fuel being consumed, taking into account temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, drought conditions, fuel availability, vegetation characteristics and topography. ‘Critical’ fires are defined as those covering an area greater than 10,000 ha and are challenging to extinguish until air temperatures fall and precipitation increases.
They are typically associated with ‘extreme’ fire danger, which is an FWI of over 50.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Because it indicates the intensity of fires and the rate of spread. The Fire weather index is used for general public information about fire danger conditions, and is an essential tool for firefighters (FWI tab)
PROTECTING THE FOREST IS PROTECTING LIVES
Prevention starts with each one of us. The safety of people, property and natural heritage depends on the responsible behavior of everyone.
TAKE CARE NOT TO START A FIRE
IF YOU COME ACROSS A FIRE CALL 112 IMMEDIATELY