Waldbrände Portugal: Major Outbreaks and Casualties Reported

Waldbrände Portugal - An Alarming Situation

The recent waldbrände in Portugal have escalated to critical levels, resulting in one firefighter's death from a heart attack and 17 reported injuries among firefighters and civilians, as per media reports citing local authorities.

In response to the wildfires, approximately 3,500 firefighters, civil protection members, and soldiers are actively combating several fires, notably in the northern and central parts of this popular vacation destination.

International Support Arrives

The government in Lisbon urgently requested assistance from European partners through the EU's civil protection procedure. As a result, countries like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece are dispatching two firefighting planes each, as announced by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Notably, the situation is most dire in the Aveiro district in northern Portugal, where several larger and numerous smaller fires are raging. The flames have consumed homes, businesses, and vehicles in the town of Albergaria-a-Velha, located about 60 kilometers south of Porto, causing smoke to darken the skies of nearby regions.

Residents are urged to stay indoors and conserve water due to the hazardous conditions. Some highways and local roads have been partially closed, severely disrupting train services.

André Fernandes, the head of civil protection (ANEPC), stated, “The situation is not out of control, but it is complicated.” Progress is being made in firefighting efforts, and approximately 70 individuals have been evacuated to safety across various areas.

Causes and Current Status of the Fires

All reported wildfires in Aveiro began on Sunday evening, with the causes still unclear. Other regions, including Castelo Branco near the border with Spain in eastern Portugal, have also experienced significant wildfires. The civil protection agency has issued a wildfire warning for the mainland due to unfavorable weather conditions until Tuesday evening.

Remarkably, Portugal had been spared from significant wildfires until this point in the year, with official figures indicating that only about 10,000 hectares of land had been affected until August 31, the lowest value for that period since 2014.