The situation improves thanks to the drop in temperatures

Despite an improvement in the situation. Consequently, due to the drop in temperatures, Portugal still fights on Friday August 22, against violent fires, one of which, in the center of the country, mobilizes nearly 1,600 firefighters supported by air means, according to civil protection.

Il “Could probably be (…) the largest fire ever recorded in Portugal situation improves thanks drop temperatures ”estimated Paulo Fernandes. Furthermore, professor of the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of Tras-Os-Montes, about this disaster, who broke out in Arganil about ten days ago. Nevertheless, According to still provisional data, Mr. Consequently, Fernandes estimates the area devastated by this fire at some 60,000 hectares.

Like Spain. a neighboring, also affected by historical fires this summer, Portugal has experienced a lull on the front of forest fires since Thursday, thanks to a drop in temperatures, which should continue in the coming days. Since the end of July. these fires have already killed three people and several seriously injured, especially among firefighters, and destroyed homes and farms.

Faced with the scale of the fires. Portugal had requested reinforcements a week ago, as part of the European Civil Protection Mechanism. He is currently counting on the help of two Swedish devices, two Greek Canada and situation improves thanks drop temperatures a French Helicopter Super Puma.

Nearly 276. 000 hectares burned since the start of the year – Situation improves thanks drop temperatures

“Only those who do not know the country (…) may think that it is possible to be everywhere, at any time, and to anticipate appearance as the rapid spread of all fires ”justified the Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, criticized for his fire management, was justified on Thursday evening. At the end of an extraordinary council of ministers on Thursday. he announced emergency measures, including the financing, up to a limit of 250,000 euros, of the reconstruction of situation improves thanks drop temperatures the main residences destroyed, and aid for farmers.

The head of government also recognized the need to initiate reflection on forest management and the current civil protection system. At the request of the opposition. he will have to be explained about the management of fires next Wednesday in Parliament.

According to data from the European Forest Information System (Effis). an indicator of the European Observatory Copernicus, nearly 276,000 hectares have burned in Portugal since the start of the year. In 2017, more than 563,000 hectares burned, especially during devastating fires that killed 119 people. The country is strongly struck by global warming, which causes heat waves and droughts promoting forest fires.