Sweden sending firefighting planes, Malta sending 40 firefighters

With Portugal still battling wildfires in a crushing heatwave, the situation today sees 4,000 firefighters battling seven ‘active fires’ that are causing the most concerns in north and central regions.

With winds and progress changing the picture all the time, as of midday today the ‘worst situation’ was said, by Civil Protection, to be around the stunning schist village of Piódão.

Information coming in this morning suggests that some ‘major incidents’, like the fires in Oliveira do Hospital, and Nisa, have been dominated, while in other areas like the protected ‘Douro International area’ “very adverse climatic conditions” (intense heat, strong winds) are worrying firefighters.

Civil protection deputy commander Jõao Noel Afonso explains“there will be a lot of work” to do this afternoon to ensure hotspots do not reignite

So far this year, wildfires have consumed 139,000 hectares – 17 times the area burnt last year – and half that amount burnt in two days. According to data released by the ICNF (institute for nature conservation and forestries), between January 1 and August 14, 74,931 hectares had been burnt – a total that increased to 139,091 hectares as of today.

The area burnt so far this year is also the second greatest since 2017, a year in which 164,249 hectares had been burnt up until August 15.

The ICNF has also revealed that, up until today, 6,229 fires have been registered this year, 48% in scrubland, and 40% in forested areas (12% in agricultural land).

In relation to last year, the number of fires has increased by 79% – and just between August 14 and today (16) another 231 fires broke out.

Meantime, on the ‘political front’, both President Marcelo and prime minister Luís Montenegro decided yesterday to cut short their holidays after the barrage of criticism over their apparent disconnect.

Marcelo is described as ‘monitoring the progress’ of the burns victim from yesterday’s tragedy in Vila Franca de Deão, while Luís Montenegro has been photographed stony-faced at a meeting with Civil Protection. He posted the fact of the meeting over social media, and received a great deal of negative responses.