The rescue service in Portugal is struggling to get control of several forest fires raging around the country. At the same time, temperatures of over 40 degrees are expected during the week, reports the BBC.
At least nine firefighters have been injured in the extinguishing work.
Around 800 firefighters took part in fighting a fire near the town of Odemira in southern Portugal during the night of Monday. 1,400 residents in the area had to be evacuated.
The city’s mayor, Helder Guerreiro, describes the situation as “critical, difficult and complex”.
The fire started on Sunday. Driven by strong winds, it moved south towards the Algarve, one of Portugal’s most important tourist regions. The fire has destroyed 6,700 hectares of land. 19 villages, four tourist facilities and a campsite have had to be evacuated.
In the central parts of the country, other fires have led to the closure of several motorway sections, including between Lisbon and Porto.
Sixteen water-bombing planes have been called in to assist in the extinguishing work in both southern and central Portugal.
On Monday, the highest temperature of the year was measured in the country: 46.4 degrees. This week’s heat wave will be the third on the Iberian Peninsula during the summer.