Weather Adjustments Assistance Provided by Firefighters
The wildfires ripping through Portugal are gaining some reprieve thanks to a shift in weather conditions. Decreasing winds and elevated humidity might lend a hand to firefighters in managing these inferno, as suggested by RTP, the country's state TV station.
Possible rain showers may offer additional assistance in the struggle against the fires, but they could also result in landslides on charred terrain, warned the state news agency Lusa.
Multiple fires, predominantly in Portugal's central and northern regions, have either been completely put out or are now under control, such as in the town of Nelas, reported Lusa. The extent of land ravaged this year, at around 140,000 hectares (1,400 square kilometers), marks the largest in a seven-year span.
As of now, ten casualties have been tallied, with some perishing while battling the flames and others succumbing to heart attacks triggered by anxiety and stress, Lusa revealed. Over 3,900 firefighters have been mobilized nationwide, with support from water-dropping planes and helicopters.
Due to the rampaging wildfires, Portugal's carbon emissions in September increased dramatically to an estimated 1.9 million tonnes, as reported by the EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). It's projected that smoke plumes will reach sections of Spain and France by weekend's end.
Despite the relief from weather changes, the possibility of forest fires still lingers due to dry undergrowth and residual heat. The recent forest fires in Portugal, despite some progress, continue to pose a significant threat to the environment and local communities.
