Wildfire Spreads Overnight in Portugal as Firefighters Battle Wind and Extreme Heat

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Hundreds of firefighters in Portugal struggled to contain a wildfire in Trancoso on Monday (August 11) as the blaze, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, continued to rage overnight.

The wildfire, which started on Saturday (August 9) in a village approximately 350 km (200 miles) northeast of Lisbon, has intensified due to unfavorable weather conditions.

So far this year about 52,000 hectares (200 square miles), or 0.6% of Portugal's total area, have burned, exceeding the 2006-2024 average for the same period by about 10,000 hectares, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.

Scientists say the Mediterranean region's hotter, drier summers put it at high risk of wildfires. Once fires start, dry vegetation and strong winds can cause them to spread rapidly and burn out of control.

#Portugal #Wildfire #ClimateCrisis #Trancoso #Fires #Environment #ClimateChange

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