Thousands of firefighters joined ordinary people to save homes in drought-stricken Portugal as the country suffered the worst forest fires in Europe in the midst of the sweltering heat wave.
Two hundred different fires raged across Portugal, killing one, injuring 135 people – including 70 firefighters – and destroying or damaging nearly 30 homes.
More than 3,000 firefighters fought four major fires in Portugal on Thursday morning.
The heat, underpopulated rural areas with poor forest management and high winds have combined to create a a perfect storm for forest fires† About 24,700 hectares burned down this week.
Antonio Costa, the prime minister, extended the bushfire alarm from Friday to Sunday as temperatures would remain unusually high and called on people to be wary of the risk of new fires.
“More than ever, we are the ones who have to be extremely careful,” Costa said. “A great tragedy can be born from a small act of carelessness.”