Portugal : Help called in as wildfires rage on

Madeira wildfire

Wildfires continue to rage in Portugal. On the island of Madeira 3 people were killed, 300 were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns and 1000 people have been evacuated. On the mainland one other person was killed.

C.Ronaldo has offered Madeira financial help after the forest fires, which killed 3 & made countless homeless. [SIC] pic.twitter.com/iJ2OWvrnZ0— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cr7Prince4ever) August 10, 2016


Two Scottish tourists told reporters:

“I think we knew it was going to happen because the houses in the street next to our street were burning and the smoke was really bad. It was like..ash falling out of the sky.”

“Everybody has been great. They`ve brought us here and given us mattresses and all food and drink and water. So everybody has been very helpful”.

Agueda wildfires

The fires are still raging in Agueda, where strong winds are aggravating the situation.
With emergency services struggling to cope, the Portuguese interior ministry requested help from the EU.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa said:
“This abnormal situation surpasses the normal response capacity of our forces.”

Several suspected arsonists have been arrested including one 23-year-old man.

Confirmed: A 23-year-old man has been arrested, suspected for starting the fatal fire at Madeira. Shocking. pic.twitter.com/lYKkGoOCJi— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) August 10, 2016