Portugal: Several forest fires are underway, the heat could worsen the situation in the coming days

Following in the footsteps of Greece and Turkey , Portugal is also battling fires. Nearly 2,000 firefighters, supported by 26 aircraft, are deployed across the country this Tuesday to combat forest and brush fires, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country. These fires are being fueled by adverse weather conditions, with high temperatures and strong winds.

The most worrying situation is concentrated in a eucalyptus area near the municipality of Arouca (central Portugal), mobilizing some 600 professionals and 195 ground resources. "This is currently the fire on which we are focusing all efforts and reinforcements," says the Civil Protection.

The two other major fires in Penamacor (central Spain) and Ponte da Barca, in the north of the country, which mobilized four Spanish aircraft on Monday, "are fairly well under control." The fire, which started on Saturday near the Spanish border, threatened several homes by the end of the day on Monday, forcing several people to be evacuated to a nearby church. The blaze has already consumed "nearly 2,000 hectares," according to provisional estimates.

Authorities fear the situation will worsen in the coming days due to the persistent heat and are calling for vigilance. "The only factor we can control in the coming days... is human behavior," the head of civil protection reminded.

The entire country is on alert Tuesday due to a "maximum or very high" fire risk, according to forecasts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral decided to visit the headquarters of the National Civil Protection Authority on Tuesday afternoon. "We want to be fully informed about what is happening and what to expect," the minister observed.