Wildfires rage across Portugal

05/09/2005 - 08:30:48
More than 1,000 firefighters battled flames in northern and central Portugal yesterday as new wildfires continued to flare up following devastating blazes that consumed hundreds of acres of land in the past months.

Three firefighters were injured, one seriously, authorities said.

So far this year, wildfires fed by high winds and one of the driest summers on record have claimed the lives of 15 people, including 11 firefighters, and destroyed an estimated 600,000 acres of forest and agricultural land, according to the latest government figures.

More than 1,000 firefighters, supported by 321 trucks and 36 planes, were fighting eight wildfires in the central and northern districts of Santarem, Leiria, Guarda, Viseu, Braganca and Castelo Branco, firefighters said.

Three firefighters were injured yesterday while fighting flames in the Lousa village of the central Coimbra district, firefighters said. Two were treated and released from the nearby Coimbra University hospital, but one – who suffered burns on 50% of his body – remained hospitalised in intensive care.

The 31-year-old firefighter had been trying to quell a blaze with another four men when they were surrounded by flames, firefighters said.

Another fire, near Batalha county in the district of Leiria, forced traffic to be suspended along a stretch of highway as flames poured onto the road.