LISBON, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Portugal is stepping up nationwide measures to cope with an extreme heatwave, as authorities issued the highest weather alerts, tightened wildfire prevention and expanded support for vulnerable groups.
According to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 12 of the 18 districts on Portugal's mainland, including the capital Lisbon, will be placed under a red weather warning -- the highest level on a three-tier alert system -- from Thursday through at least Saturday due to persistently extreme temperatures.
The remaining six districts will be under an orange warning during the same period.
Interior Minister Luis Neves warned on Wednesday that temperatures could reach as high as 47 degrees Celsius in the coming days, urging the public to exercise maximum caution and avoid risky behavior, according to Lusa News Agency.
He called for a ban on activities that could ignite fires, including agricultural and open-air burning, barbecues, and the use of machinery capable of generating sparks. He also warned against discarding cigarette butts and parking vehicles in areas with dry vegetation.
On the same day, Secretary of State for Health Ana Povo said that municipalities were identifying air-conditioned temporary shelters to provide refuge for the most vulnerable groups if necessary.
In addition, some cities, including Lisbon, have begun opening selected metro stations beyond normal operating hours since Wednesday to provide cooler overnight shelter for homeless people.
Meanwhile, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection has raised its Special State of Readiness to Level III, an intermediate-to-high alert level, in anticipation of a "very significant" increase in the risk of rural wildfires over the coming days.
