LISBON: Over 1,000 firefighters are battling a wildfire in central Portugal as authorities warn that thousands of hectares are at risk due to soaring temperatures across the country. The blaze has already consumed around 7,000 hectares near Castelo Branco, but officials fear it could extend to more than 20,000 hectares, posing a significant threat to isolated homes and villages in the area.
Jose Gulherme, the commander of the firefighting operation, stated that the fire perimeter had reached approximately 60 kilometers, making it an extensive and challenging situation to control. The wildfire started on Friday and has been rapidly spreading, causing smoke and ash to reach the revered Catholic pilgrimage site of Fatima, located more than 130 kilometers to the east.
Wildfires in Portugal
As Pope Francis visits Portugal for the World Youth Day festival, the country faces another wildfire in Odemira, near its southwest coast. Although the fire in Odemira is currently being contained, authorities remain vigilant as temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some regions, heightening the risk of wildfires across the entire territory for the coming days.
Meanwhile, in Spain, a fire in Catalonia near the French border has burned nearly 600 hectares, but firefighters have managed to control the blaze despite renewed wind gusts. Additionally, a fire in the southern Andalusia region near Bonares has also been brought under control.
Both Portugal and Spain are grappling with the devastating impact of wildfires amid extreme heat conditions, and authorities are working tirelessly to combat the blazes and protect communities at risk.
