Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa warned that Friday is the day of greatest concern because there will be a "convergence of meteorological and physical conditions" that are conducive to worsening forest fires.

The head of state spoke to journalists at Faro City Hall, accompanied by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, after their weekly meeting, which took place today in the Algarve instead of at Belém Palace in Lisbon, as both are on vacation in the region.

"Based on weather forecasts, compared to all the days already experienced this year, 'what worries us most is next Friday,'" said the President of the Republic.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasised that "there is a convergence of objective conditions, meteorological and physical, which could point to a situation very conducive to the continuation and worsening of the fires."

"I draw the attention of the Portuguese people that we still have this week ahead of us, certainly a very complicated day," he emphasised, adding that the situation is being monitored by everyone, the Presidency and the Government, as the challenge "is one of constant adjustment and will continue in the coming weeks."

The President of the Republic also highlighted the effort being made by everyone in fighting the fires, from operational staff to the Government and municipalities.

For Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, "the effort being required is brutal, because these are days and nights in conditions that are prolonged over time," and he thanked the parties and movements that have refrained from using the situation of fires in the election campaign.

"I am happy as President of the Republic to be certain that no candidate in any election will use the issue of fires as a campaign theme. It's not a warning, it's a thank you for the exemplary civic behaviour of the Portuguese people, and everyone will understand that it was very tempting, very tempting, to use the fireworks for campaign purposes," he observed.