Spain has deployed 500 additional troops to fight raging wildfires as the death toll rises to four. The blazes have also claimed a firefighter’s life in Portugal.
Firefighters are battling large fires in several European countries, including Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, Turkey, and the Balkans. Heatwaves across southern Europe have sparked widespread wildfires, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
Castile and León is particularly affected, with air quality deemed “unbreathable” due to smoke. Fires continue to rage in Galicia, burning over 17,500 hectares. In total, Spain has lost about 343,000 hectares this year alone, double the previous year’s amount.
Portugal has also been battling wildfires since late July, with the north and centre of the country hardest hit. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences to the bereaved family of a firefighter who died in an accident while fighting fires.
The European Forest Fire Information System reported that Spain’s wildfires have burned nearly 100% more hectares than last year. Climate change has exacerbated heatwaves, causing harsher weather conditions according to research from Spain’s state meteorological agency.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz60y7npl32o