UPDATE: 08:00 Fire now in resolution

Abel Gomes, from the National Authority of Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) told Lusa that the six people were removed from three houses as a preventive measure, "to avoid being affected by the intense smoke."

According to the commander, the fire is burning on three different fronts: "one to the west that is dominated, another front that is yielding, and one to the south, the latter being the one that is causing the greatest concern."

Gomes said that reinforcements to fight the fire were being brought in from Lisbon with the aim of supporting the coordination of personnel and entities already on the scene.

The fire alert was initially raised at 3.27pm, 19 July, with fire fighting operatives being sent to the scene immediately.

Strong winds are making it difficult to tackle the blaze which at 7.45pm saw 8 planes, 213 operational personnel and 62 vehicles involved in fighting the Algarve fire.