More than 100 wildfires have been ravaging northern Portugal, stretching thousands of firefighters to their limits. The fires have resulted in seven deaths since the weekend, marking the worst spate of fires in recent years. In response to the crisis, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro declared a state of calamity for the hardest-hit areas and invoked powers to mobilize additional firefighters and civil servants. He also urged police investigators to intensify their efforts in finding those responsible for starting the fires and promised assistance for those who have lost their homes or been evacuated.
According to the European Copernicus satellite service, over 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) have been scorched by the flames. As of Tuesday night, a combined 13 kilometers (8 miles) of fire fronts were detected, posing a significant risk to an area inhabited by 210,000 people. The outbreak of fires in Portugal coincided with flooding in central Europe due to hot and dry conditions.
In an act of solidarity, Spain’s military dispatched 240 soldiers and vehicles from its emergency response battalions specialized in firefighting. France sent four water-dumping planes while Spain and Italy each contributed two planes after responding to an appeal from their fellow EU member state. Morocco also answered Portugal’s request for assistance by sending two water-dumping planes that arrived on Wednesday.
Civil Protection official André Fernandes expressed concern about thick smoke hindering air units’ ability to operate effectively against the fires. He emphasized that there is still a high risk for forest fires over the next 48 hours.
The impact of these wildfires has extended beyond Portugal’s borders into northwest Spain where thick grey smoke and burnt wood odors reached approximately 85 kilometers (50 miles) across.
Prime Minister Montenegro called on security forces not only to pursue arsonists but also individuals who may have negligently started fires. Portuguese national police reported arresting seven men suspected of starting wildfires recently. To minimize accidental fire starts, authorities have prohibited using heavy farming equipment.
While property damage figures and evacuation numbers are yet unknown, images broadcasted by Portuguese state broadcaster RTP revealed charred houses in rural villages as local residents attempted firefighting efforts with buckets of water, hoses, and even large tree branches amidst orange smoke reducing visibility significantly.
Tragically three firefighters died while inside their vehicle on Tuesday while another firefighter succumbed to what authorities described as a “sudden illness” during duty over the weekend. Civil protection authorities confirmed three civilian deaths as well. Health services attended ten seriously injured individuals along with another forty-nine people sustaining minor injuries due to these devastating wildfires.
It is important to note that Portugal experienced massive fires back in 2017 resulting in more than 120 fatalities.
