In the midst of sweltering heat, more than 60 aircraft and 3,000 firefighters are struggling to put out wildfires that are raging over northern and central Portugal. Portuguese state broadcaster RTP and other local media reported on Sunday that authorities claimed 12 firefighters and 17 citizens needed medical treatment to address minor burn injuries.
The firefighting air fleet support programme that enables member countries to pool resources was launched by the European Union on Sunday. According to EU Crisis Commissioner Janez Lenarcic, Spain, which has lately experienced wildfires as well, swiftly responded by mobilising two firefighting planes to dispatch to its Iberian neighbour.
According to the Portuguese government, 60 aircraft have been sent to support ground crews.
Large-scale, occasionally fatal forest fires have long been a problem in Portugal. Over 100 people died in wildfires that got out of control in 2017.
According to the EU, the region is currently experiencing one of its worst years for natural disasters including droughts and wildfires.
Since last week, fires have been raging in numerous locations, and on Friday and Saturday, it was estimated that about 250 new fires had begun. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has cancelled a scheduled trip to Mozambique so that he can watch the fires. The government has declared a “state of contingency” from July 11 to July 15 – on a level below the states of catastrophe and emergency.
Andre Fernandes, the national commander of civil protection, stated on Saturday that we are currently dealing with a meteorological condition that is nearly unheard of.
Portugal has already seen harsh weather this year; in June, a drought affected almost 28% of the nation’s land, up from 1% in May.
According to scientists, more extreme and frequent weather phenomena, such as heatwaves and forest fires, are related to climate change.
This weekend, some parts of Portugal could experience temperatures of exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).