Spain, Portugal and Wildfire
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Portugal is battling five major wildfires as of August 19, with more than 2,700 firefighters, 902 ground resources, and at least 35 aircraft deployed.
In neighbouring Portugal, where fires are also blazing, another firefighter was killed on Sunday in a "tragic" traffic accident, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said. Fires have also broken out in Greece, France, Turkey and the Balkans as a heatwave has scorched swathes of southern Europe.
Wildfires have ravaged more than 450,000 hectares of land across the Iberian peninsula since the start of the year, setting records in a region particularly hard hit by intensive heatwaves and drought affecting southern Europe.
Fire crews in Greece, Spain, and Portugal are racing to contain wildfires. Calmer winds on Thursday have helped slow the blazes.
A man has died after being run over by a bulldozer he was operating while fighting wildfires in Portugal, bringing the death toll in the country to three, officials have said.
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Hespress on MSNPortugal wildfires claim third victim: authorities
A man was killed while helping fight wildfires that have been scorching Portugal, the country’s civil protection service said Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the fires to three. The man, who worked for a company hired to help the northern municipality of Mirandela fight the fires,
The fires have ravaged small, sparsely populated towns in the country's northwest, forcing locals in many cases to act as firefighters. About 2,382 square miles have burned across Spain and Portugal.
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Wildfires in Spain and Portugal force evacuations and deployment of thousands of emergency personnel
A heatwave is continuing to affect the Iberian Peninsula. Thousands of firefighters have been deployed to battle ongoing blazes and towns have been evacuated. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited affected regions to meet with the heads of emergency teams.
The Covilha wildfire, now the country's most resource-intensive fire, has spread to Fundao and Silvares. Authorities have warned residents of multiple villages to seek safety as flames threaten homes,
Morocco faces its own wildfire challenges in Chefchaouen province, specifically affecting large forest areas of Dardara and Bab Taza. Authorities initially declared the blaze fully contained, but reported yesterday that it had reignited in some areas, urging residents to remain cautious.