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CatastrophePortugal

Portugal: Over 1,000 evacuated as wildfire rages

August 8, 2023

The southern Portuguese regions of Algarve and Alentejo are particularly affected. Iberian nations Portugal and Spain have witnessed high temperatures and fires in what scientists say is the result of climate change.

https://p.dw.com/p/4UuiM
Two men watch wildfires near a field in Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal
Hundreds of municipalities across Portugal are at the maximum risk for wildfiresImage: PEDRO NUNES/REUTERS

Hundreds of firefighters worked to put out a wildfire in southern Portugal on Tuesday, with 1,400 people evacuated since the start of the blaze.

The fire has destroyed around 6,700 hectares of land.

A total of 19 villages, four tourist accommodations and a camping site have been evacuated as a precaution.

Firefighters in Carrascal, Portugal work to put out a wildfire
The Ministry of Interior has not yet declared a state of emergency, saying the work of emergency services has been effectiveImage: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP

What did Portuguese authorities say about the wildfires?

Jose Ribeiro, commander of the emergency and civil protection authority, said weather conditions were expected to remain a challenge as Portugal grapples with high temperatures and strong winds.

The official added that there was a "lot of work" to be done to bring the fire under control. "It's a worrying situation," he said.

Ribeiro told reporters that there were two active fronts, with one heading to the Monchique area, which sports numerous thermal springs and hotels.

"The weather conditions we are going to experience in the coming days means any small occurrence [fire] could become a big one," Secretary of State for Home Affairs Patricia Gaspar said.

The Ministry of Interior ruled out declaring a state of emergency, arguing that the work of emergency services had been effective.

People watch plumes of smoke in Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal
A wildfire has been raging in the Alentejo region since Saturday, later spreading to the southern region of AlgarveImage: PEDRO NUNES/REUTERS

Where are the fires located?

The wildfire began on Saturday in the southwestern municipality of Odemira in the Alentejo region. It has also spread further south into the Algarve region, which is a major tourist destination.

Besides the south, major fires were also reported in Leiria in central Portugal and Cinfaes in the north.

The IPMA weather service warned of the highest stage of forest fire risk in more than half of Portugal's territory.

Meanwhile, in the north of Portugal three districts were placed under red alert as temperatures were expected to rise to 41 Celsius (105.8 Fahrenheit) in the city of Castelo Branco.

According to official figures, there have been more than 5,600 fires in Portugal since the beginning of 2023.

In neighboring Spain, there were only a few small fires on Tuesday, all of which were under control.

sdi/wd (Reuters, dpa, AFP)