State of emergency extended: in Portugal “the whole country is on fire”

state of emergency has been extended
“The whole country is on fire” in Portugal

07/14/2022, 3:09 pm

Extreme and persistent heat is also engulfing Portugal at the moment, and the country is also coming under the grip of massive wildfires. The greatest concern is currently Aveiro in the north, Leiria in the centre, Setubal and Faro in the south. So Prime Minister Costa is extending the state of emergency to be implemented throughout the country.

In Portugal, numerous wildfires provide no relief to many residents and emergency services. Eleven major fires were active in different parts of the popular holiday destination this Thursday, As declared by Civil Defense (ANEPC)., About 1,900 emergency services brought the fire under control.

Fires were of greatest concern in Aveiro in the north and in Leiria in the center of the country, in Setbal, about 50 kilometers south of Lisbon, and in Faro in the south. “The whole country is on fire,” was the headline of the Jornal de Noticias newspaper.

45 degree. Heat wave with temperature up to

Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Thursday that the third-largest state of emergency (“Estado de Contingunía”) in force across Portugal from Monday would be extended until Sunday. Heat wave is also going on at this time, due to which the temperature reached 45 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva said on Wednesday, “The heat wave in Western Europe “particularly affects Spain and Portugal, but is expected to intensify and spread.” Climate change is causing more frequent and more intense heat waves.

What does state of emergency mean?

What does a state of emergency mean for the population, but also for tourists? For example, you are not allowed to have a campfire in the woods. Living in the forests is prohibited. Fireworks will also not be allowed. According to ANEPC, apart from the months-long drought, the spread of the fire is also partly driven by strong winds. Officials assured that a lot of fire had been started either by negligence or intentionally. There have been arrests.

The official opening balance of the most recent fires after six days: at least 130 people were injured, two of whom were seriously injured. To Nature Conservation Agency INCF. figures of This area, which was destroyed since Saturday, is approaching 100 square kilometers. Flames destroyed homes, factories and a golf course.