Sweeping wildfires across Portugal this week fueled by scorching heat have caused multiple deaths, disrupted travel and prompted a coordinated response from multiple local and international governments.
The fires, caused by dry brush and exacerbated by heat and strong winds, have been concentrated in the central and northern parts of the country but have been reported all over.
At least four people have died since the fires began over the weekend, according to Publico, a national newspaper in Portugal, and residents have had to flee their homes to safety. It is unclear exactly how many acres have been burned so far, but more than 5,000 personnel were working around Portugal to get the flames under control, according to the country’s National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of Portugal said on social media on Monday that one of the deaths was a firefighter who died of a “sudden illness” while fighting a fire in Oliveira de Azeméis, a region more than 30 miles southeast of Porto.
A number of other firefighters have been injured, including at least four in Albergaria-a-Velha, a region farther south where more than 400 firefighters are on the ground.
Scattered wildfires across the country have grown so severe that train service in some regions has been restricted, and at least six major roadways have been partly or fully closed. With temperatures expected to remain high this week, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority extended a rural fire danger alert through the end of Thursday.
“Portugal is going through difficult days due to wildfires,” Mr. Montenegro said on social media.
A statement from Mr. Montenegro’s office on Monday said that the prime minister was overseeing the coordination of the fight against the fires across the country “in this extremely difficult weather situation.”
He also called on leaders of the European Union and European partners, asking for additional support.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said on social media that the European Union was lending aid. “We are urgently mobilizing eight firefighting planes via our Civil Protection Mechanism to help local first responders,” she said. “I thank France, Greece, Italy and Spain for their rapid reaction. This is E.U. solidarity at its best.”
Wildfires continue to ramp up across the country, and temperatures in various regions are expected to reach the mid 80s on Tuesday with no rain expected for at least a few days.
The government of Portugal issued fire prevention guidelines to the public. Officials have asked residents to notify neighbors if fire is detected near their homes, turn off the gas and thoroughly wet the walls and bushes surrounding the house. The authorities have also asked residents to report any risky behavior that could result in fire.
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Publish date : 2024-09-17 10:06:00
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