Portugal on wildfire alert amid heatwave and severe drought

The Portuguese government has declared an eight-day state of alert as the drought-stricken country braces for a heatwave with temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius due to the increased risk of wildfires.

A joint statement from five government departments said the weather would bring “a significant deterioration in wildfire risk” until July 15.

The declaration of a state of alert gives the government temporary powers to order preventive measures.

Restrictions passed on Friday included a ban on public access to forests deemed to be a special risk, a ban on agricultural machinery that could generate sparks, and a ban on fireworks commonly used at summer festivals.

Portugal has long experienced violent forest fires.

In 2017, fires killed more than 100 people.

Heatwaves and droughts are not uncommon in Portugal, but climate scientists say higher temperatures and lower rainfall can be expected across southern Europe due to global warming.

The European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, said climate change had left the continent facing one of its toughest years for natural disasters such as drought and wildfires.

In Spain, parts of the border with Portugal are expected to climb to 42C over the weekend.

Spain’s June rainfall was about half the 30-year average, according to government data, and the country’s reservoirs are on average 45 percent full.

Italy has also recently experienced a prolonged heat wave and is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years.

In Portugal, 96% of the country was classified as “extreme” or “severe” drought at the end of June – the two highest categories.

While Portugal’s emergency restrictions are in effect, police and rangers will be on permanent standby and will conduct regular patrols.

Portugal will have nearly 13,000 firefighters and related workers, more than 2,800 cars and 60 firefighting aircraft available at the peak of the fires from July to September, the Portuguese government said.

Portugal has improved its forest management and other strategies since the 2017 deaths shocked the country; no one has died from a wildfire since then.

Last year, the country had the lowest number of wildfires since 2011.