The forest fires that ravaged central Portugal over the weekend were fueled by strong winds and scorching temperatures. On Tuesday afternoon, they flared up again, causing evacuation of many villages and the mobilization of more than 1,000 firefighters.
Local television images show that firefighters and residents tried to stop the spread of flames, which threatened many localities in the municipalities Leiria (Pombal), Ourem, or Alvaizere. These are located just over 100 kilometers from each other. north of Lisbon.
Data from the National Civil Protection Authority's site shows that five different outbreaks occurred in the same area. These events prompted 1,200 firefighters to mobilize, over 300 vehicles, and a dozen helicopters or planes, according to the site. Three of them set themselves ablaze on Tuesday, but two others had declared themselves by the end of last Week. They destroyed approximately 2,500 ha before being considered contained on Monday morning.
This temporary respite was short-lived as the fires were reactivated on Tuesday due to higher temperatures and stronger winds than at the weekend.
Leiria's town hall announced via Facebook that at least two villages had been evacuated. It asked its residents to seek refuge at a nearby gym or at the municipal stadium. Local media reported that traffic was disrupted on many roads, including the A1 motorway, which connects Lisbon with the north.
The government declared a "state-of-cease" in a country still traumatized by 2017's deadly fires, which claimed more than 100 lives. This was to increase the capacity of emergency services and strengthen their capabilities.
Near Santarem, the thermometer reached 43.1 degrees Celsius.