Forest fire in Portugal after extreme heat wave

A large forest fire is raging right now in Portugal. Tourists have been forced to evacuate and 24 people have been injured in the fire.

 

An extreme heat wave makes temperatures approach new record highs of over 46 degrees.



The large forest fires in southern Portugal are now on its fourth day, writes The Independent.

After a period of extreme heat with temperatures above 46 degrees in some areas, the wildfire started in a forest near the resort of Monchique.

1 100 firemen, 327 firefighting vehicles and eight aircraft fought the fire on Monday evening.

"We are facing a new reality regarding natural disasters," said Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner, during Monday's press conference.

At least 44 people have been injured in the fire, including a 72-year-old woman who has been taken to the Lisbon hospital with ambulance helicopter.

Hundreds of evacuated tourist resorts

During the night to Monday, hundreds of tourists were forced to evacuate the town of Monchique, located in the mountains of the Algarve region.



Several other villages near Monchique have also been forced to evacuate.