Portugal battles wildfires amid drought, heat; 29 injured
LISBON, Portugal -- More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft battled wildfires Sunday in Portugal that authorities say have injured 29 people.
Authorities said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians required medical assistance to treat minor injuries caused by the blazes, as reported by Portuguese state television RTP and other local media. By Sunday afternoon, Portugal’s Civil Protection Agency said more than 3,000 firefighters were combating active fires.
The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help Portugal. Spain, which has also endured wildfires recently, quickly responded by mobilizing two firefighting planes to send to its Iberian neighbor, according to the EU crisis commissioner, Janez Lenarcic.
Portugal's government said it has deployed 60 aircraft to support its ground crews.
Portugal has long suffered large, and sometimes tragic, forest fires. In 2017, out-of-control wildfires killed more than 100 people.
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The European Union says climate change has the continent facing one of its hardest years for natural disasters such as droughts and wildfires.
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa postponed his plans to visit Mozambique this week, his office said, “in view of the weather forecasts that indicate a very serious worsening of the risk of rural fires.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa likewise canceled his trip to New York where he was scheduled to speak at the U.N. Economic and Social Council.
In June, 96% of the southern European country was classified as being in either in “extreme” or “severe” drought.
The fires have caused authorities to increase a state of alert already in place. Portugal's government declared a state of heightened alert Saturday that will run through Friday.
Portugal battles wildfires amid drought, heat; 29 injured
More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft are battling wildfires
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Portugal battles wildfires amid drought, heat; 29 injured
More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft are battling wildfires in Portugal that authorities say have injured 29 people
ByThe Associated Press
July 10, 2022, 6:49 PM
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LISBON, Portugal -- More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft battled wildfires Sunday in Portugal that authorities say have injured 29 people.
Authorities said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians required medical assistance to treat minor injuries caused by the blazes, as reported by Portuguese state television RTP and other local media. By Sunday afternoon, Portugal’s Civil Protection Agency said more than 3,000 firefighters were combating active fires.
The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help Portugal. Spain, which has also endured wildfires recently, quickly responded by mobilizing two firefighting planes to send to its Iberian neighbor, according to the EU crisis commissioner, Janez Lenarcic.
Portugal's government said it has deployed 60 aircraft to support its ground crews.
Portugal has long suffered large, and sometimes tragic, forest fires. In 2017, out-of-control wildfires killed more than 100 people.
Recent Stories from ABC News
The European Union says climate change has the continent facing one of its hardest years for natural disasters such as droughts and wildfires.
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa postponed his plans to visit Mozambique this week, his office said, “in view of the weather forecasts that indicate a very serious worsening of the risk of rural fires.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa likewise canceled his trip to New York where he was scheduled to speak at the U.N. Economic and Social Council.
In June, 96% of the southern European country was classified as being in either in “extreme” or “severe” drought.
The fires have caused authorities to increase a state of alert alrea