Leiria CDOS source told Lusa that the fire has entered the resolution phase, mobilising 414 operatives, with the support of 97 vehicles.

Speaking to Lusa today at around 8:15am, Commander José Rodrigues, of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) said that the fires in the districts of Porto, Leiria and Viana do Castelo were the ones that most concerned the firefighters.

In addition to the fire in Vale da Pia, Leiria, which continues to mobilise more than 400 firefighters, José Rodrigues also highlighted the fire that broke out on Tuesday at 23:39 in Cidadelhe, parish of Lindoso, municipality of Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, which mobilised 266 operatives, with the support of 86 vehicles.

“Another of the fires of concern is the one that broke out on Thursday in Teixeira, municipality of Baião, in the district of Porto, which is being fought by 161 operatives, with the help of 54 land assets,” he said.

José Rodrigues also highlighted as worrying, but evolving favourably, the fire that has been raging since 23:39 on Tuesday in Cidadelhe, parish of Lindoso, municipality of Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, which mobilised 266 operatives, with the support of 86 vehicles.

“At this time, we don't have villages or populations at risk. The villages that were evacuated yesterday [Thursday] were evacuated as a precaution,” said José Rodrigues, adding that air resources will be mobilised to help in the fight.

At 08:50, more than 2,000 operatives were fighting 38 fires - between ongoing fires, resolution and conclusion - in mainland Portugal, with the help of 762 vehicles and two air assets.

Due to weather forecasts for the next few days, with high maximum temperatures and the danger of fire, the Government decided to extend the contingency situation in mainland Portugal until Sunday.