More than 3,000 firefighters battle forest fires in Portugal that have left 29 injured – as country is put under state of alert with temperatures in some parts set to rise to 113F next week
- More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft battled wildfires in Portugal
- Authorities said the fires have injured 29 people, including 12 firefighters
- The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help Portugal
More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft battled wildfires today in Portugal that authorities say have injured 29 people.
Authorities said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians required medical assistance to treat minor injuries caused by the blazes.
The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help Portugal.
Spain, which has also endured wildfires recently, quickly responded by mobilizing two firefighting planes to send to its Iberian neighbour, according to the EU crisis commissioner, Janez Lenarcic.
More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft battled wildfires today in Portugal that authorities say have injured 29 people
Authorities said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians required medical assistance to treat minor injuries caused by the blazes
The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help Portugal
A residential area during a forest fire in Canecas, outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal, July 10
Portugal’s government said it has deployed 60 aircraft to support its ground crews.
Portugal has long suffered large, and sometimes tragic, forest fires. In 2017, out-of-control wildfires killed more than 100 people.
The European Union says climate change has the continent facing one of its hardest years for natural disasters such as droughts and wildfires.
Across the border in Spain, a fire in the southwest led authorities to evacuate 30 people from homes as a precaution.
Some 115 firefighters backed by helicopters and planes were deployed to that fire near the village of El Ronquillo.
A firefighter works to extinguish a wildfire at Casais do Vento in Alvaiazere on July 10
Thousands of firefighters are working to put out blazes that have been ravaging Portgual
Portugal’s government said it has deployed 60 aircraft to support its ground crews
Portugal has long suffered large, and sometimes tragic, forest fires
In 2017, out-of-control wildfires killed more than 100 people in Portgual
The European Union says climate change has the continent facing one of its hardest years for natural disasters such as droughts and wildfires
A fireman fights a forest fire in Benespera, Guarda, northern Portugal last week
Firefighters on the ground have joined forces with civilians in trying to put the fires out
Homeowners desperately tried to save their houses as the fires edged ever closer in Canecas
Bushes burn during a forest fire in Canecas, outskirts of Lisbon on July 10
A man stands as a firefighter works near a burning area during a forest fire in Canecas, outskirts of Lisbon today
Villagers worked together to bring water to the flames in a bid to save their town
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa postponed his plans to visit Mozambique this week ‘in view of the weather forecasts that indicate a very serious worsening of the risk of rural fires.’
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa likewise canceled his trip to New York where he was scheduled to speak at the U.N. Economic and Social Council.
In June, 96 per cent of the southern European country was classified as being in either in ‘extreme’ or ‘severe’ drought.
The fires have caused authorities to increase a state of alert already in place. Portugal’s government declared a state of heightened alert Saturday that will run through Friday.
‘This means we can automatically and preventively activate all emergency and civil protection plans at all territorial levels,’ said Interior Administration Minister Jose Luis Carneiro.
The wildfires are coming as Portugal is enduring a heat wave with temperatures expected up to 109F (43C).
The country has adopted restrictions barring public access to forests deemed to be at special risk, banned the use of farm machinery and outlawed fireworks.
Costa reminded citizens not to light any fires outdoors or use heavy farm machinery that can cause sparks.
‘Preventing fires is the best help we can give our firefighters,’ the prime minister wrote.
Source: Read Full Article
