Portugal is currently grappling with intense wildfires, worsened by September’s dry conditions, prompting Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to declare a state of calamity on Tuesday for the affected regions.
The fires, predominantly in the northern and central areas, have resulted in significant destruction and fatalities. Since the weekend, blazes have raged across the country, with temperatures soaring above 30°C (86°F) in some regions. Authorities are investigating the possibility of criminal activity as a cause of some of the fires.
The hardest-hit areas include the district of Aveiro, particularly Albergaria-a-Velha, south of Porto, where over 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) have been scorched. The situation remains critical as dry weather and strong winds, with gusts reaching 43 mph, continue to fuel the flames.
More than 50 fires have ravaged the region, with over 5,000 firefighters and 1,500 fire engines deployed in the battle. So far, seven lives have been lost, including three firefighters, and many others have been injured, with two firefighters in serious condition.
Homes have been reduced to ashes, forcing many to evacuate. Roads and highways, including major routes between Lisbon and Porto, have been closed, and schools in central Portugal have been shut down as a precaution.
Prime Minister Montenegro warned of “difficult days ahead” as the fires persist. In response to Portugal’s plea for help, the European Union has sent eight firefighting planes, and countries like France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Morocco have offered additional support.
To mitigate further outbreaks, authorities have extended a fire alert until Thursday and introduced precautionary measures such as banning the use of heavy machinery in farming to prevent accidental sparks.
This year’s fires have drawn comparisons to the devastating wildfires of 2017, which claimed more than 120 lives and destroyed over half a million hectares.
