After a baking hot weekend and today’s brisk winds, the whole area of Monchique is at maximum risk of fire.
The information on the Portuguese weather service’s website shows Monchique on red alert, set after the normal lunchtime readings for air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and any rain showed a combination leading to danger.
Monchique, as in other areas, will have benefited from last year's tightening of the land clearance laws with much scrubland cut back by owners to reduce risk and avoid fines.
Rui André’s Monchique council also has been clearing council roadside, paths and un-owned areas that presented fire risks so it is hoped that should a blaze develop, it will not spread out of control before firefighters can get on site.
According to the IPMA the council areas of Vila do Bispo, Portimão, Silves and Loulé are at high risk.
The temperature is on the way down after the hot weekend with a 5 degree centigrade fall predicted for tomorrow leaving the rest of the week ranging between 19 and 27 degrees in the Algarve.
