Portugal Battles Wildfires as Heatwave Persists
In northern Portugal, four major fires are still burning—particularly in Vila Real and Mondim de Basto—where over 800 firefighters are engaged in containment efforts, supported by 282 vehicles and nine aircraft, media reported.
The largest and most intense blaze in Vila Real alone has drawn 522 firefighters. Reinforcements have arrived from abroad, including a 16-member special forces unit from Latvia now aiding local crews on the ground.
Authorities say many emergency responders are exhausted after battling flames for several days and are urging the national government to deploy additional personnel.
Portugal declared a state of alert through August 7, as a powerful heatwave tightened its grip over the weekend, fueling dangerous fire conditions.
Across the border, Spain is also under weather-related strain. Nine autonomous regions are now facing temperatures as high as 42°C (107°F), triggering an “orange alert” from government officials.
Despite efforts to bring earlier blazes under control, Spain’s Interior Ministry cautioned that “the risk of new wildfires remains very high.”
Tragically, an 85-year-old man in the southern city of Badajoz died from heatstroke, local health authorities confirmed.
The Iberian Peninsula is currently enduring its second severe heatwave of the summer, with meteorologists warning the extreme conditions will likely persist into the weekend.
Further east, Bulgaria is also dealing with destructive wildfires. A massive blaze erupted in the Harmanli region, scorching an estimated 5,000 acres between the villages of Dositeevo and Kolarovo, according to Mitko Chakalov, head of the Haskovo Regional Department of Fire Safety and Population Protection.
Roughly 60 personnel—including firefighters, forestry officials, and local farmers—have been dispatched to the scene. Although the fire remains uncontained, authorities told media there is no immediate threat to nearby communities.
Meanwhile in northern Europe, severe thunderstorms are taking hold. The Finnish Meteorological Institute issued high-level warnings across several regions, media reported.
“If thunderstorms form a large, solid area, the wind gusts can cause more extensive and serious damage. In addition, thunderstorms can lead to hailstorms, as well as urban flooding,” said meteorologist Ari-Juhani Punkka.
Finland's temperatures are forecast to drop to around 20°C (68°F) after enduring an unprecedented stretch of heat, with temperatures surpassing 30°C (86°F) for 22 consecutive days—a new national record.
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