The most serious fire was the one that occurred in the Serra da Estrella National Forest. Within 11 days, more than 250,000 acres were burned
The fires in Portugal have been devastating so far this year 1,040,000 acresas the country is hit by an unprecedented drought, according to the latest tally released today.
It is the largest area to have been destroyed since the deadly wildfires of 2017, which killed around 100 people and destroyed more than 5,370,000 acresbased on the report of the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF).
In its report, the institute states that as of August 15 in Portugal, “12% fewer fires” had been recorded than in the previous ten years, but the area burned “was 30% larger”.
This year the most serious fire was the one that occurred in the Serra da Estrella National Forest, a mountainous area in central Portugal, a world geopark recognized by Unesco. Within eleven days more than 250,000 acres were burned.
Firefighters are still trying to put out the blaze in Vila Real province, in Portugal’s far north, but the situation appears to be improving, according to Civil Protection chief Miguel Fonseca. This fire “has essentially been brought under control”, he explained.
Since Monday, two Greek Canadairs have been sent to Portugal as part of the European civil protection mechanism.
Thanks to a drop in temperatures across much of the country, Portugal’s government has decided not to extend the state of emergency that was in place from Sunday to Tuesday night, emergency measures to deal with the increased risk of fire.
RES-EMP
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