The Second in Command at the ANPC, Patrícia Gaspar, said this morning that the Monchique blaze, which had spread to neighbouring councils, had finally been 'dominated'.

However, she warned against complacency, and said hundreds of firefighters will remain on standby to swiflty extinguish any reignitions.

Gaspar also said that rising temperatures will keep authorities on full alert, adding that the number of injuries has now risen to 41, of whom remains in a serious condition.

To date, just under 27,000 hectares have been reduced to ashes, down from the 2003 figure, when 41,000 hectares were scorched IN Monchique, Portimão, Aljezur and Lagos.

Fires consumed half of the growth Monchique and large parts of Silves, resulting in 39 injuries and damaging 50 homes, causing at least ten million euros in damages.

The Monchique fire remains active on two fronts, with around 1,400 firefighters remaining on the ground.

Police have meanwhile revealed that they have detained 19 arsonists so far this year, down considerably on the 53 arrests made in 2017 over the same period.