CONTROLLING WILDFIRES

 

Many strict rules are in place in Portugal to reduce the risk of wildfires in the sort of rural and forest areas currently devastating large parts of France and Spain.

 

Landowners in Portugal face heavy fines unless they clear undergrowth within 50 metres of homes, outbuildings and trees in the spring. For larger settlements the distance is 100 metres. Wherever, tree branches need to be trimmed to 4 metres above ground.

 

Open fires in risk areas are banned. No cooking fires or barbeques are allowed in any but approved spots. Nor are bonfires, campfires, garden waste or piled wood fires.

 

No smoking of dropping of cigarette butts is permitted in forests, woodlands or rural paths.

 

 The use of heavy machinery is restricted as is letting of festive fireworks unless specifically authorised.

EXTREME WILDFIRE WARNINGS

 Wildfire risk warnings for most of the  mainland, north to south,  today, Thursday.

https://www.lusa.pt/lusanews/article/2026-07-23/47505263/portugal-wildfire-risk-warnings-for-most-of-mainland-on-thursday

ANNIVERSARY CELEBATIONS

  

Preparations are underway for Portugal’s 900^th anniversary celebrations.

 

The extensive celebrations starting next year will consist of a series of major events paying tribute to the country’s most significant historical occasions starting with the founding of Portugal with the Battle of Sao Mamede in 1128 when Alfonso Henrique took control of the country.

 

The most important events that followed were the military victory in the Battle of Ourique in 1139 and the Treaty of Zamora, the start of the formal recognition of Portugal’s independence in 1143. 

 

A national organising committee is being led by General Commissioner Paulo Portas with the support of present and former presidents, delegates from former parliamentary miniseries, and historical academics.

 

Their final plan will not be announced until the end of this year.  

MORE FROMA LUSA NEWS AGENCY

Pump prices are expected to rise by five to 12 cents a litre this coming week.  Petrol is expected go up five cents per litre and diesel by 12 cents should the current international fuel crisis continue.  

 

Parking charges in Lisbon are set to rise for the first time in 15 years.

 

The European Commission warned on Friday that the efficiency of Portugal’s law and tax courts continues to deteriorate and called for appropriate measures to be taken to reverse this trend, including introducing infrastructure and staffing improvements.

 

School pupils with marks suspended will learn their final grade results today, Sunday.

FOUR LEADING NEWS STORIES

 

 

Firefighters have been battling all week with blazing forests, mainly in the most vulnerable central areas of Portugal. The blazes have been driven by extreme heat and in some cases strong winds. A fire risk index (RCM) is published daily for every municipality in the country. A map on the IMPA website shows the wildfire locations.

 

Parliament has approved a Burqua Law bill banning the wearing of face coverings in public. Only MPs on the t opplefosed the bill which originated with the right-wing Chega party.

Parliament has approved a bill to unlock the sale of jointly inherited property at the request of a single heir. The bill was approved on Friday in a final overall parliamentary vote.

The  Salue of homes in 2025 sold at a record 41.2 billion euros. That was a 21.7% increase compared to the previous year. This was confirmed on Friday by Statistics Portugal (INE). 

RIP BONNIE TYLER

 

The Welsh pop singing legend Bonnie Tyler died yesterday in the Algarve where she lived for many years. 

 

 Her death at the age of 75 in a Faro hospital has been described as “unexpected” and has deeply shocked her family and millions of fans around the world.

 

Last month she had emergency surgery involving an induced coma.

 

Bonnie loved living permanently in the Algarve. She regarded it as a beautiful and peaceful place away from the spotlight. She adored the region’s beaches, climate, cuisine and the hospitality of the local people.  

 

   

 

Best known for her hit songs of the 70s and 80s, Bonnie’s most ico9nic ballad was “The Total Eclipse of the Heart”,

 

which she always sang with astounding vocal force.

 

She will be forever respected and missed in this part of the world and indeed globally.

THIS WEEK’S TOP HEADLINES

 

Firefighters have been battling all week with blazing forests, mainly in the most vulnerable central areas of Portugal. The blazes have been driven by extreme heat and in some cases strong winds.  

 A fire risk index (RCM) is published daily for every municipality in the country. A map on the IMPA website shows the wildfire locations.

 

Parliament has approved a Burqua Law bill banning the wearing of face coverings in public. Only MPs on the left opposed the bill which originated with the right-wing Chega party.

 

 

 

Parliament has approved a bill to unlock the sale of jointly inherited property at the request of a single heir. The bill was approved on Friday in a final overall parliamentary vote.

 

The value of homes in 2025 sold at a record 41.2 billion euros. That was a 21.7% increase compared to the previous year. This was confirmed on Friday by Statistics Portugal (INE). 

Wildfires are burning at 78 locations nationwide driven by extreme heat and strong winds.

 

The worst fires  have spread from near Vuvuzela in central across several other municipalities. Evacuation have been ordered while  2412   firefighters and many water-laden aircraft  struggle to cope with more than 7,000 hectares ablaze.

 

No major wildfires have been reported in the Algarve so far. The huge number of holiday visitors to this region can relax while paying attention to alerts and taking sensible precautions.