Severe heat in Portugal: 264 dead in one week as new heatwave triggers state of alert

Portugal is reeling under the impact of extreme heat, which has claimed 264 lives in just one week.

According to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), most of the deaths were recorded in the country’s northern regions and mainly affected elderly people over the age of 75 and those with chronic illnesses.

The DGS noted that the current heatwave has caused a 21.2 per cent increase in deaths compared to the average for this period.

New heatwave and wildfire risk

The Portuguese government has declared a nationwide “state of alert” from 3–7 August in response to an incoming heatwave and heightened wildfire risks.

Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral said: “Persistent high temperatures, low humidity and the risk of wildfires across much of the country have made it necessary to adopt preventive measures. The coming week will be difficult,” she warned.

Under the new measures, access to forested areas, lighting fires, and operating machinery in rural and woodland zones have been banned. The use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics has also been prohibited, while leave for personnel involved in firefighting operations has been suspended.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere has forecast that, from tomorrow, temperatures in many parts of the country will exceed 40°C. Over the past week, three major wildfires have been recorded across the country, brought under control through the efforts of 1,300 firefighters, 13 aircraft and nearly 100 ground vehicles.

Heatwave to hit Spain as well

The extreme heat is also expected to affect neighbouring Spain.

According to Spain’s Meteorological Agency, temperatures are set to rise above 40°C between 3–7 August in six regions – Andalusia, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia and Madrid.

Regional authorities in these areas have already raised their alert levels. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System shows that 43,000 hectares of land have been destroyed by wildfires in Spain so far in 2025.

Figures from Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition reveal that in July alone, more than 26,300 hectares were burnt – the highest level of wildfire activity since March 2023.

At present, a 400-hectare wildfire is burning in Vilaverdos, in the municipality of Ourense, Asturias. As a precaution, homes in two nearby villages have been evacuated.

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