Sernancelhe, Viseu, Portugal, Sept. 15, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal's prime minister, Luís Montenegro, on Monday warned of the high risk of fire due to high temperatures, calling for increased efforts to prevent incidents.

"Today, 15th September, I want to warn the country not to let our guard down, so that in the coming weeks we can act responsibly and respectfully" in accordance with the guidelines that the authorities may issue, warned Luis Montenegro.

The prime minister was speaking to journalists as he left a ceremony to symbolically deliver support to farmers affected by the fires that occurred a month ago, which took place at the Sernancelhe council, in the northern district of Viseu.

"We still face the possibility of further adverse weather conditions and a combination of factors that could increase and raise the level of risk" of fire, he warned.

In this regard, he asked "everyone to make an effort" so that everyone can "be even more efficient in the future in preventing the occurrence of major fires such as those that occurred in August".

During the ceremony, the prime minister had already issued the same warning, indicating that "the high temperatures, it is very hot again, the humidity is low" and this still causes "a risk situation" of fire.

"It seems contradictory, because I am here today to carry out a task of recovery, of reviving the territory, and at the same time, we still have a threat, a danger, before us, of which we must all be aware," he warned.

Mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large rural fires since July, especially in the North and Centre regions.

The fires caused four deaths, including a firefighter, and several injuries, and completely or partially destroyed primary and secondary residences, as well as farms, livestock operations, and forest areas.

According to provisional official data, as of 29 August, approximately 252,000 hectares had burned in the country.

IYN/AYLS // AYLS

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