Portugal is currently grappling with severe wildfires exacerbated by an intense heatwave, prompting the government to activate the European civil protection mechanism and to seek assistance from Spain and Morocco. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced this decision following a government meeting, emphasizing that while the country’s resources are not yet exhausted, the entire territory faces a very high risk of fire.
The wildfires have resulted in injuries, with reports indicating that four individuals, including three firefighters and one civilian with severe burns, have been hurt since the fires began on Wednesday night in northern Portugal.
One significant wildfire, which ignited early Thursday in Vouzela, located in the Viseu district, has mobilized nearly 1,000 firefighters, supported by approximately 300 vehicles and eight aircraft or helicopters. Additionally, four smaller blazes are being tackled by at least 100 firefighters each.
Due to the extremely hot and dry weather conditions, with temperatures soaring to 44 degrees Celsius in some areas, the Portuguese meteorological agency has issued a red alert for 12 of the 18 districts on the mainland. This maximum alert level is expected to remain in effect through Saturday and Sunday across several regions.
Portugal, which faces wildfires annually, is still haunted by the catastrophic fires of 2017 that claimed over 100 lives.
