Portugal has experienced one of the worst droughts in decades.
More than 200 Portuguese firefighters and a single water bomber helicopter fought Tuesday against a major forest fire that broke out the day before near the town of Alhada (center).
The fire, of undetermined origin, resulted in the temporary closure of the nearby motorway and many residents were working to water the surroundings of their homes to protect themselves from the spread of the flames, according to images on Portuguese public television. RTP.
Two-thirds of the territory subjected to drought
“It's hell, there are sparks falling everywhere,” a resident told the channel. Alhada is located 200 km north of the capital.
Portugal is experiencing the most severe drought of the last sixty years with almost 68% of the territory in a state of severe or extreme drought.
The whole of Portuguese territory is affected, but more particularly the southern regions of Alentejo and Algarve.
Weather alert
The weather forecast issued a heat alert for eight regions (out of 18) where the temperature could approach 40 degrees celsius in the coming days: Evora, Beja, Castelo Branco, Lisbon, Portalegre, Setubal, Santarem and Viana do Castelo.
The Portuguese warning system was set up after the heatwave that hit Europe in 2003 and caused the death of nearly 2.000 people in Portugal.
source: TSR