Spain and Portugal heat wave forecast spark wildfire concerns
Weather analysts predict that Spain’s second heat wave in less than a month and the year’s first for neighboring Portugal will linger at least until the weekend. Wildfire concerns were heightened by the already high temperatures in both countries.
On Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures in Portugal’s central Alentejo area might soar to 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cordoba and Seville, two southern Spanish towns, might see temperatures as high as 42 degrees Celsius, according to Spain’s National Meteorological Agency (107.6 F). It’s possible that Pontevedra, Spain, which isn’t used to such high temperatures, could reach a record high of 41 C. (105.8 F).
An overheated mass of air and warm African winds, according to meteorologists, are pushing the Iberian Peninsula’s temperatures well above average highs.
The hot conditions in both Portugal and Spain heightened the risk of flames soaring, according to authorities in both countries.
Due to a 2,500-hectare wildfire near Las Hurdes, in the central-western Extremadura region, 400 people had to be evacuated from seven separate settlements in the area (6,200 acres).
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It seems unlikely that the fire that erupted on Monday will be put out very soon, according to Regional Agriculture Chief Begoña García Bernal. It appeared to her that lightning had sparked the commotion.
Approximately 300 firefighters and other responders were aided by 100 troops from the Spanish army’s emergency squad.
Dozens of people had to be evacuated from their houses in the villages of Santarem and Pombal in central Portugal due to wildfires that raged for days.
As of Saturday, Portugal’s authorities had put the country on heightened alert for the next five days.
Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa postponed a trip to Mozambique this week due to the threat of further fires. A UN gathering in New York was also canceled by the president of Brazil, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Droughts and wildfires are expected to be the most devastating natural disasters in Europe this year because of climate change, according to the European Union.
During the middle of June, Spain endured a heat wave that was claimed to be the earliest record in nearly 40 years.
