Wildfires, heat scorch Portugal, president warns conditions will worsen

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Although more than 2,300 firefighters are already battling blazes across Portugal, the nation’s president on Sunday warned that the risk of fires will get significantly worse later this week.

Scorching heat settled into most of Portugal on Thursday, laying down the conditions for dozens of wildfires to break out.

Already, 29 people have been injured in blazes, according to Portuguese broadcaster RTP.

Yet, from Tuesday the mercury will climb even higher, beyond 40 degrees Celcius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in large parts of the country. Meanwhile, meteorologists predict low humidity and stronger winds, making for even more dangerous wildfire conditions.

The heatwave is not expected to dissipate until Friday.

Portugal's government has announced a state of emergency and already called on the European Union for urgent help.

On Sunday, the EU mobilized two aircraft to fight the fires from Spain under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa have canceled planned trips abroad to Mozambique and New York.

Following another heatwave in June 2017, 66 people died in Portugal’s deadliest wildfire in modern history.

On Sunday, Rebelo de Sousa said he does not expect the situation to get as dire over the next week.

“There is no comparison between our levels of preparedness now as in 2017. The information available today is better than ever.”