Thousands of firefighters and 60 aircraft deployed and dozens injured.
More than 3,000 firefighters and 60 aircraft are warring nearly 250 wildfires across central and northern Portugal, which have left at least 29 people severely injured.
A dozen out of the 29 injured people were firefighters. The firefighters and civilians have been given immediate medical attention for breathing problems.
Portugal wildfire continues to rage.Portugal recorded 125 forest fires on Saturday (July 9), becoming the first county to have recorded the highest number in just one day this year. 1,500 firefighters were battling against the fireballs.Â
Portugal wildfire continues to rage. The Europe Union on Sunday (July 10) activated the firefighting air fleet assistance programme, allowing other nations to deploy their resources. Spain, which also tackled a wildfire recently, immediately sent two firefighting aeroplanes. The Portuguese government declared a ‘State of Contingency’ from July 11 to July 15.
The Portuguese Institue for Sea and Atmosphere recorded a gradual increase in temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. The ongoing battle against the blistering heat wave warns that temperatures could hit 43 degrees Celsius.Â
Several villages have been evacuated, and the government has restricted people’s access to nearby forests. The citizens have a ban from indulging in outdoor fire activities and using farm machineries to avoid sparks. The president used the Twitter platform to warn the citizens.
Portugues Prime Minister Antonio Costa has postponed his visit to Mozambique scheduled this week to control the risk of rural fires.
Similarly, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has cancelled his trip to New York, United States, where he was expected to address the UN Economic and Social Council.
In June 2022, 96% of Portugal was classified as being in extreme and severe drought. The EU claims that climate change has the continent facing the worst natural disasters like drought and wildfires.
Most Portuguese towns and villages are set in or near the forests where the farmers continue to burn dry and dead leaves, leading to severe drought conditions.
The poor forest management only adds to the peak in climate change consequences the country suffers. Southern and Northern Europe experienced the hottest summer, leading to wildfires in Spain and France.
