The Minister of Internal Affairs visited the Loulé air base on Wednesday, and declared that everything is ready and in place to fight any fires that may break out in the Algarve.
Eduardo Cabrita said the Algarve is ready, indeed the entire country is ready as part of a wider government plan, especially pertinent now that the Algarve is heading towards a 'red alert' for high temperatures, low humidity of under 30% and brisk winds of around 30kmph to fan any flames.
The minister stressed that prevention is fundamental and, not limiting his address to those with a brain, suggested that people did not cook sardines over a charcoal grill in the countryside, nor should they launch any fireworks.
The Algarve, which avoided the worst of the 2017 fires that swept across central areas, has the benefit of extra GNR and Armed Forces patrols to spot any fires early on.
Eduardo Cabrita called on "all citizens to comply with the recommendations for a safer country," adding that there will be zero tolerance for those who put the countryside at risk.
Heatwave:
Sky News forecaster Isobel Lang said of the Iberian hot period, “Spain's record high is 47.3C and Portugal's is 47.4C but these temperatures could well be beaten.
"And 48C is possible across inland parts of Portugal and valleys of southern Spain."
See also: 'On holiday in Portugal ? Fire and safety advice as temperatures soar'
