Spain and Portugal continue to fight the largest forest fires in their history, which began in early August. Despite the improvement of weather conditions, in the two countries it is still not possible to localize fire at 20 points: 18 – in Spain and 2 in Portugal.
according to the authorities, only in August in Spain four people died as a result of fires. The most affected the northern regions of Galicia (Ourence, Pontehedra) and Castile and Leon (Zamora, Leon).
Civil Defense Service and local authorities reported that the intensity of fires has declined compared to last week, and thanks to the weather, the flame gradually manage to control.
since the beginning of the year in Spain has burnt out more than 350 thousand. ha territories, of which there are about 330 thousand – in August. At the moment, nine roads remain blocked. More than 2.5 thousand inhabitants were evacuated, only in the province of Leon – 1523 people. Many of them spend nights in gyms, temporary centers and houses of relatives.
In the Estremadura (Harilla district) region, about 17 thousand hectares of forest and agricultural vehicles burned out in ten days, but the fire managed to localize. In the affected areas, it exceeded 2 billion euros. It is noted that the fire caused significant harm to agriculture and livestock, especially in Galicia and Castile and Leone.
Portugal: “The country in shock”
In Portugal, fires claimed the lives of three people. In the north and in the central regions of the country (Arganil, Synko Vilas), two large foci of fires continue, about 2 thousand firefighters are involved in their extinguishing. Since the beginning of August, 275 thousand hectares have burned out in the country – approximately 3% of the territory.
the Portuguese government, despite the requirements of the opposition, refused to introduce a state of emergency, but approved a packet of assistance from 45 points. It includes measures to expand medical care in the affected areas, accelerate the restoration and provision of support to families and enterprises.
the Cabinet of Ministers also pledged to fully compensate for the cost of housing at a price of up to 250 thousand euros. Prime Minister Luis Montenegra, saying that the “country is in shock”, promised to do everything possible to soften the suffering of citizens who suffered from destructive fires.