Portuguese wildfires continue to burn out of control

Eleven wildfires burned out of control today in northern and central Portugal, where the heat and drought of the summer are stretching into autumn.

The Civil Protection Service said almost 1,700 firefighters with more than 450 vehicles were trying to extinguish the fires. Authorities deployed 15 water-dumping aircraft, including a large Canadair plane requested from Spain.

High winds fanned the blazes in forests parched by a year-long drought.

The Weather Service estimated temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius in the north, while the south was 30 degrees. The hot weather was forecast to continue tomorrow.

Overnight, 18 people were treated for smoke inhalation near Viseu, a city 120 miles north of Lisbon, TSF radio reported.

Authorities evacuated an old people’s home, a primary school and a children’s home as a precaution but reported no injuries.

The Forestry Service estimates that fire charred 706,700 acres of woodland up to September 25.

The Agriculture Ministry reckons the fires have caused about €300m in damage.