In the News

Raging Fires Continue

Portugal continues to battle a line of fierce forest fires fueled by a combination of dry vegetation, poor forest cleansing, low humidity and criminality. Since 23 July, the country has registered more than 300 forest fires a day.

The forestry department reports that fires have affected 50,000 hectares of land since the start of August, with 21,000 hectares burned in the preceding six months. Interior Minister Rui Pereira said this year’s devastating fires are currently around one third of the level in 2005, when 338,000 hectares were destroyed.

Many of the fires have occurred in areas with little road access, making it difficult for firefighters to reach them.