The entire country is grappling with violent forest fires fueled by high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity. More than a hundred municipalities are considered at extreme risk, especially in the northern district of Aveiro, where a firefighter died of a heart attack while fighting the flames
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All the Portugal continental is grappling with violent forest fires that show no signs of abating despite the tireless work of the firefighters. The National Authority for Emergencies and Civil Protection has declared that in the country there are active 155 fires, dozens of which broke out on Monday, some worrying.
The authorities have issued the state of alert at least until Tuesdayas weather forecasts predict a worsening weatheralready characterized by high temperatures and strong winds, and therefore a “significant” increase in the risk of new forest and rural fires.
The commander of the Civil Protection explained that the conditions on the ground will continue to be difficult, especially in terms of heat, wind and low humidity. “The situation is complex, we cannot say that there will be a reversal of the trend,” he declared.
So far they have been Seventy people evacuated from their homesbut more than one hundred municipalities are considered at extreme risk. The victims are 18: 17 injured and a dead mana firefighter who suffered a cardiac arrest while fighting the flames in Oliveira de Azeméis, Northern District of Aveiro.
The district is the very area where the situation is more critical. Several homes have been affected and damaged by the flames and many more homes are at risk. The fires are also causing the closure of highways and railway lines.
European Civil Protection Mechanism activated
On Monday, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro asked the European Commission to activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism to provide Portugal with additional firefighters, water bombers and helicopters. The Mechanism can also help by making available the Copernicus satellite images to map ground fires.
The European Commission responded positively to Portugal’s request for help and expressed solidarity with the country: “The European Union stands by Portugal as the country tries to deal with the serious fires. We will urgently mobilize eight firefighting planes through the European Civil Protection Mechanism to support professionals on the ground,” wrote President Ursula von der Leyen on social media.
Spain and France are already sending planes to help put out the flames.
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