At least two people have lost their lives as devastating wildfires swept through central and northern Portugal on Monday, prompting widespread evacuations, motorway closures, and an urgent appeal for international assistance.
The most critical situation was reported in the Aveiro district, where a massive forest blaze reached the outskirts of Albergaria-a-Velha, burning several houses and threatening many more. Mayor Antonio Loureiro confirmed that four homes had been destroyed, with 20 additional structures at risk.
More than 1,100 firefighters were deployed to combat the inferno, supported by 12 water-bombing aircraft. However, authorities warned that conditions were expected to worsen due to unusually dry conditions and powerful wind gusts reaching up to 70 kph (43 mph).
National emergency and civil protection commander Andre Fernandes announced plans to maintain the current red alert status across mainland Portugal, citing the extreme danger posed by the fires.
Tragically, police discovered the remains of a man who had apparently been working for a nearby forestry company. Another individual succumbed to a heart attack as the flames approached, while two people were hospitalized with severe injuries.
In response to the crisis, the Portuguese government requested additional support from the European Union under the RescEU civil protection mechanism. Two aircraft arrived from Spain, with two more expected from France and two Canadair CL-415 planes pledged by Greece.
The country’s interior ministry spokesperson confirmed the deployment of international assistance, as temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) across Portugal.
This year’s relatively rainy start had led to fewer fires in Portugal and neighboring Spain. However, scientists warn that the increasingly hot and dry conditions, exacerbated by global warming, render both nations vulnerable to devastating wildfires.
