Firefighters tackle blazes across Portugal

Around 800 firefighters are currently battling a wildfire, which started on Saturday in the municipality of Odemira, Portugal – close to the popular summer resort of the Algarve.

Sixteen waterbombing aircraft have been deployed to support firefighting efforts.

So far, 1,400 people have been evacuated from 19 villages, four tourist accommodations and a camping site, while around 6,700 hectares of land has been destroyed.

The town’s mayor Helder Guerreiro has called the situation ‘critical, difficult and complex’.

The fire began on Saturday and was driven south into the hilly regions of the Algarve due to strong winds. Extremely high temperatures have also been recorded; a temperature of 46.4°C was clocked in Santarém – the hottest of the year so far.

Portuguese weather agency IPMA has put six districts – including the capital Lisbon, on red alert for extreme heat until midnight tonight. Authorities have also put 120 area across Portugal on maximum alert for wildfires.