Portugal’s fire-danger map shows risk, not active fires
Portugal’s five-level rural-fire danger forecast describes conditions for a fire to start and spread. It does not show flames, road closures or an evacuation order.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 31 August 2026Residents can use the municipality forecast for prevention while following civil protection—not a forecast colour—for active incidents.
- IPMA publishes rural-fire danger by mainland municipality across five levels.
- Danger describes conditions; it is not a map of active fires.
- Restrictions vary by activity and danger level, and an official alert situation can override normal conditions.
- Civil-protection instructions and 112 serve different purposes from the forecast.
What the fire-danger colour means
The IPMA rural-fire danger product estimates how favourable the conditions are for a rural fire to ignite and spread in each mainland municipality. The scale runs from low through moderate, high, very high and highest.
The forecast supports prevention. A municipality at very high or highest danger needs more caution and can face tighter activity conditions, but the colour alone does not mean there is a fire at your location.
The difference between danger, an incident and an emergency
Use the danger forecast to plan. Use national and local civil-protection information for an active incident, public warning, closure or instruction. Use 112 when there is an actual emergency requiring immediate help.
Keeping those channels separate reduces panic and prevents a dangerous mistake: driving toward smoke to investigate, assuming a clear forecast means no incident can occur, or calling an emergency line for general information.
Activities do not share one rule
The official fire information distinguishes between cut-and-piled waste burning, extensive burning, barbecues or stoves, fireworks, agricultural and forestry machinery, apiary fumigation, forest machinery and recreational fires. The condition for one activity does not automatically answer another.
Search your municipality, choose the correct day, and then check the specific activity. Burning can require prior registration even when conditions permit it. Local restrictions and protected-area rules can add further limits.
Exceptional alerts override the ordinary table
During severe conditions, the government can declare an alert situation with restrictions that take precedence over the normal rules associated with the forecast class. That is why an old screenshot or yesterday's activity table is not enough.
Check again on the day and follow the most specific current instruction. Municipality notices, road closures and civil-protection directions can be more relevant to your immediate location than a national headline.
Fire risk is part of researching a home
For rural and edge-of-town properties, inspect access for emergency vehicles, vegetation near the building, alternative exit routes, water availability and mobile coverage. Ask who maintains neighbouring land and how local warnings are communicated.
Fire danger is one part of year-round suitability, alongside heat, insulation, water, winter access and distance to services. A beautiful summer viewing should still lead to a practical safety check.
What you can do now.
- 01
Search the live Hub map for your municipality and day.
- 02
Open the activity that matches what you plan to do.
- 03
Check civil protection for active instructions.
- 04
In immediate danger, move away and call 112 with a clear location.
Have a place we should experience?
Invite the Hub for a hosted visit, propose a story, plan a clearly labelled campaign or apply for a business profile.