LISBON, July 29, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Hundreds of firefighters were battling blazes across Portugal on Tuesday, with authorities fearing that high temperatures and strong winds could fan the flames.

Virtually the entire country was put on alert on Tuesday due to a "maximum or very high" fire risk, according to forecasts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere.

Some 1,500 firefighters were fighting around 10 fires, notably two major ones in the north and in the centre of the country.

In central Portugal, some 500 firefighters were trying to control a blaze around the Arouca municipality.

In the north, a fire that started on Saturday was spreading around Ponte da Barca, despite four aircraft joining in containment efforts on Monday.

"It's a difficult fire, in a mountainous area, which is spreading quickly, with a lot of wind," and is spreading near residential areas, said Ponte da Barca Mayor Augusto Marinho.

Like many countries, Portugal faces wildfires every summer.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts and fires around the world.