Wild fires in Portugal and Spain continued yesterday before they were finally tamed later during the night.
In Portugal, the fire that began in the Vouzela region spread through Oliveira de Frades and Tondela before reaching Águeda. The blaze burned approximately 14,000 hectares of forest and rural land. Up to 1,200 firefighters, civil-protection personnel and rescue workers were deployed, supported by hundreds of vehicles and firefighting aircraft. Spain also sent personnel and equipment to assist the Portuguese authorities. Although the main fronts were eventually controlled, emergency crews remained in the area to prevent possible re-ignitions caused by the extreme heat.
In Spain, firefighters continued working around La Bisbal d’Empordà in Girona province, close to the Costa Brava in Catalonia. The fire burned approximately 2,200 to 2,300 hectares and developed a perimeter of around 40 kilometres. The blaze was stabilised before being brought under control, although firefighters continued extinguishing hotspots and strengthening the perimeter because of the risk posed by high temperatures and winds.
Fires also continued burning into Sunday night in France’s Pyrénées-Orientales region. More than 1,600 hectares were destroyed as the blaze developed an estimated 18-kilometre front. Around 750 firefighters, supported by aircraft and approximately 200 emergency vehicles, were deployed. A firefighter and a local resident were critically injured. The fire also forced organisers of the Tour de France to restrict public access to part of the route so that emergency services could operate without obstruction.
Fires in Greece have also been brought under control after separate fires occurred around Thessaloniki and Athens.
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