According to a source from the GNR Territorial Detachment of Beja, who spoke to Lusa at around 3pm, road traffic has been cut off on the EN120, between São Teotónio and Odeceixe, in the neighbouring municipality of Aljezur, in the district of Faro, since around 11am this Monday.

The same source told the Lusa agency that Municipal Roads (EM) 501, between São Teotónio and Relva Grande, and 1186, between São Miguel and Vale dos Olhos, in the parish of São Teotónio, present constraints to road traffic since Sunday afternoon.

For this reason, the GNR advises against driving cars towards the São Teotónio area.

In Odeceixe, Lusa found that the fire is burning very close to houses and the GNR does not allow people to enter or leave the area.

Algarve smoke

The parish of the Algarve municipality of Aljezur is covered by a cloud of smoke, and many people are trying to safeguard their property and animals. It is possible to see residents carrying gas cylinders away from their homes.

The fire burns on a slope with several buildings, towards the beach, to which access was also banned. Lusa found that one of these properties was hit by the flames.

Due to this rural fire, which broke out in the Baiona area, in the parish of São Teotónio, in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday, the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Odemira warned that “during the day there may be constraints on the water supply to the population in the village of São Teotónio”.

The Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan was activated, with effect from 14:30 on Sunday.

According to the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, at 3:16 pm, 712 operators were mobilised, with the support of 228 vehicles and eight air assets.