Fires are raging throughout Portugal today as the country bakes under blistering temperatures.
The worst blazes have been registered in Guarda, Viseu, Arouca and Barcelos.
News changing all the time reports that houses have been lost, villages are threatened and at least two firemen have had to be treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.
Mighty walls of flames are being fought in multiple areas with the aid of airplanes and helicopters.
Three motorways have seen closures due to the fires – the A29 was closed in both directions in Albergaria-a-Velha (but has since reopened), while the A1 linking Porto with Lisbon, and the A44 have been closed near Gondomar as teams of firefighters battle to protect terrified communities.
As SIC TV news has explained: “the heat and strong winds are making the work difficult for firemen”.
It has been a truly devastating weekend, bringing all the ingredients of the kind of perfect storm that is every firefighter’s nightmare.
For a bird’s eye view of the situation as it unfolds, see www.fogos.pt.
Otherwise, the Resident will be carrying a full update tomorrow.
Weather forecasts predict a continuation of current temperatures well into next week, with possibly a slight dip in heat on Tuesday, rising again on
Wednesday.
