2016 Portugal wildfires
Fire by the Dão River, in northern Portugal, August 2016
LocationMainland Portugal and Madeira archipelago
Statistics
Total firesAt least 515 as of August 9[1]
Buildings destroyed37
DeathsA least 4[2]
Non-fatal injuriesOne seriously burned, scores of others treated for smoke inhalation

The 2016 Portugal wildfires are a series of wildfires that burned across mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean during August 2016 that prompted the evacuation of more than one thousand people[3] and destroyed at least 37 homes near Funchal on Madeira island. Flights were also disrupted at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport due to high levels of smoke.[4]

At least seven major fires were burning out of control in the north of Portugal on August 9, according to officials, the fire of Arouca and S.Pedro do Sul was the biggest.

The authorities say around 3,000 firefighters are trying to extinguish hundreds of forest fires across the country.

An emergency was declared in Portugal's northern Norte Region as firefighters battled numerous wildfires.[5]

Fire in Madeira

Smoke from several large fires burning on Madeira blowing over the Atlantic Ocean on August 10

On 9 August 2016 a fire, allegedly by arson, started at the S. Roque parish in Madeira that quickly spread throughout the region of Southern Madeira and to its capital Funchal. Though still burning in several fronts, the fire was, according to Madeira's regional president Miguel Albuquerque, "under control". The statement was later qualified.

Four deaths are attributed to the wildfire as well as a thousand displaced people. The five-star hotel "Choupana Hills" was also gutted by the flames.[4] Three suspects of arson are currently detained and one of them is currently in pre-trial detention.

Reactions

The hashtag #PrayForPortugal trended on social media in response to the wildfires.[6][7]

International support

The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service in the United Kingdom sent a large amount of specialist equipment to volunteer colleagues in Portugal after an appeal for equipment. The shipment included hose-reel fittings, ropes and tools.[8] The European Union is helping Portugal combat the wildfires. Italy and Spain have sent three Canadair airplanes.[9] Morocco is also sending two Canadair airplanes.[10] East Timor is donating €2M to Portugal to help fight the fires and to help the victims.[11] Russia is also expected to send air help due to a bilateral agreement between the two countries. Cristiano Ronaldo also donated £100,000 to his hometown of Funchal.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hardy, Catherine (9 August 2016). "Wildfires lay waste to mainland Portugal and Madeira". euronews. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Fires kill 4 people in Portugal, 1,000 evacuated on Madeira". Reuters. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Madeira - Mil deslocados e pelo três mortos nos incêndios da Madeira" [Madeira - One thousand displaced and three killed in the fires of Madeira]. Diário de Notícias (in European Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Madeira wildfires: Three dead as flames reach Funchal". BBC News. BBC. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Hardy, Catherine (8 August 2016). "Northern Portugal declares forest fire emergency". euronews. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  6. ↑ Paulo, Daniela (10 August 2016). "#PrayForPortugal. A Internet solidariza-se com um país em chamas" [#PrayForPortugal. The Internet welcomes a burning country]. Publico (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  7. ↑ #PrayForPortugal: Netizens heartbroken over Portugal wildfire
  8. ↑ "South Yorkshire fire gear sent to Portugal volunteers". BBC News. BBC. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  9. ↑ "UE já respondeu e vai ajudar Portugal no combate aos incêndios" [EU has responded and will help Portugal in the fight against fires]. TVI 24 (in Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  10. ↑ "Marrocos cede dois aviões Canadair para combate aos fogos" [Morocco cedes two Canadair aircraft to fight fires]. RPT (in Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Timor-Leste aprova doação a Portugal de dois milhões de euros para ajuda aos fogos" [Timor-Leste approves donation to Portugal of two million euros for aid to the fires]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 10 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
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