Apocalyptic Orange Skies Over Portugal as Wildfires Force Evacuations and Stop Trains
Apocalyptic orange skies covered Portugal on Monday, 16 September, as the country battled a series of wildfires that have prompted evacuations and stopped trains. The fires, which broke out over the weekend, have claimed the lives of three people, including a firefighter who died of a “sudden illness” while battling a blaze in Oliveira de Azeméis, according to Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
Day turned to night as heavy smoke obscured the sun in Albergaria-a-Velha, Aviero. The province is battling a fire that has, according to the LUSA news agency, burned homes. Blazes on the outskirts of the town have forced the evacuation of local residents and their pets. The fires have also halted traffic on motorways, including the main road between Lisbon and Porto.
Europe Responds to Portugal’s Urgent Need for Support
The situation has prompted Portugal to request assistance from the European Union (EU) and neighbouring countries. The EU has agreed to send eight firefighting planes to Portugal to help the country tackle the severe blazes. France has agreed to deploy two water bombers, and Spain is expected to send aircraft to help tackle the fires. Portugal already owns 30 water bombers and has deployed over 1,500 fire engines, but authorities said the complex situation required additional support. The Portuguese prime minister thanked France, Greece, Italy and Spain for their “rapid and essential help in combating this scourge” in a post on X.
EU Solidarity in Action
“The EU stands with Portugal as it battles major wildfires,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a message on X. “I thank France, Greece, Italy and Spain for their rapid reaction. This is EU solidarity at its best.”
The Challenge of Containing the Fires
Extinguishing the fire has been a challenge due to a drought, tinder dry temperatures and high winds. Temperatures in Portugal exceeded 30C (86F) over the weekend and are expected to remain elevated for days. National authorities prolonged an alert for fires until Thursday, which includes a ban on farmers using heavy machinery to harvest crops because of the risk of sparks that could start more fires.
Portugal’s Vulnerability to Wildfires
Portugal and neighbouring Spain have recorded fewer wildfires this year, largely due to a wet and rainy start to the year. But they remain vulnerable to blazes due to hot and dry conditions. Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless rapid efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are made. The dry and hot conditions behind the outbreaks in Portugal came while downpours caused flooding in central Europe.
Remembering the 2017 Fires
Portugal was devastated by massive fires in 2017 that killed over 120 people and burned over half a million hectares. These fires are a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to wildfires and the importance of preventative measures to mitigate future risks.
A Call for Action
The current situation highlights the need for collective action to address the growing threat of wildfires globally. Increased investments in fire prevention and mitigation strategies are essential to protect communities and ecosystems. Collaboration between countries and international organizations will be crucial to tackling the challenges posed by climate change, which includes an increased risk of wildfires.
A Time to Remember Those Lost
The loss of life during these fires is a tragic reminder of the human cost of these natural disasters. We must remember the sacrifices made by those fighting the fires and their families, and work to prevent future tragedies.
