Four Reported Dead as Wildfires Tear Through Portugal
(MENAFN) Portugal's wildfire crisis worsened Saturday as a fourth person was confirmed dead since the blazes erupted in early August. A 45-year-old firefighter, severely injured on Tuesday while tackling flames in Sabugal, succumbed to his injuries early Saturday, a broadcaster reported.
Emergency crews remain on high alert as fires continue to spread across multiple regions. The town of Arganil in central Portugal has become a focal point, with 1,470 civil protection personnel deployed to combat advancing fire lines.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has kept the fire risk level at “maximum,” “very high,” or “high” across many northern and central interior municipalities.
Authorities have detained two individuals suspected of igniting a forest fire that broke out on August 18 in the town of Lousa.
Spain Sees Progress in Containing Blazes
Across the border, Spain’s wildfire situation is showing signs of improvement, a broadcaster reported Saturday.
Virginia Barcones, director general of civil protection, said the number of active Level 2 fires has fallen to 13, affecting the regions of Castile and Leon, Galicia, and Asturias.
The Iguena fire in Leon remains the most challenging, with steep terrain hampering firefighter access to the northern front.
In Galicia, a massive blaze once described as the worst in regional history has been stabilized after scorching more than 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres).
According to recent data from the European Copernicus service, wildfires in Spain have consumed over 400,000 hectares (988,420 acres) so far this year.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
