Portugal controls the fires of the last few days and only one focus remains open in the North region

September 20 () –

The rains that have fallen in recent hours have helped emergency teams and firefighters in Portugal to put out the fires that have devastated more than 124,000 hectares in just three days, leaving only one active focus in the town of Peso da Régua, in the North region.

On the same day that Portugal is in national mourning for the five deaths in recent days due to the fires, Civil Protection has reported that the latest fires have been brought under control, while efforts are concentrated in Peso da Régua, a small town in the district of Vila Real.

“All the cases that were still active yesterday and this morning have been brought under control,” said the head of Civil Protection, Commander André Fernandes, who estimated the number of victims of these fires at 182, including injuries and deaths.

Authorities have warned that the same rains that have helped to put out the fires in recent hours may cause serious problems starting next week, when heavy rainfall is expected that could cause landslides and inert material left by the fires.

The European Copernicus programme has estimated that more than 124,000 hectares have been razed in the last three days by the forest fires that have devastated a large part of the country, especially in the central and northern regions. So far this year, the fire has already consumed some 145,760 hectares in Portugal.