LISBON, Portugal (AP) – More than 3,000 firefighters and more than 60 planes were killed in a wildfire in Portugal on Sunday, officials said, injuring 29 people.
According to Portuguese state television Artip and other local media, officials said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians needed medical attention to treat minor injuries. On Sunday afternoon, the Portuguese Civil Protection Agency said more than 3,000 firefighters were fighting an active fire.
The European Union (EU) on Sunday launched a firefighting aid program to help member states share resources to help Portugal. Spain, which recently experienced a wildfire, has responded by sending two firefighting planes to neighboring Iberia, said EU Crisis Commissioner Janice Lenarsich.
The Portuguese government has announced the deployment of 60 aircraft to support the ground crew.
Portugal has long suffered from large and sometimes tragic forest fires. A.D. In 2017, wildfires killed more than 100 people.
The European Union (EU) says climate change is one of the continent’s most difficult years for natural disasters such as drought and wildfires.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has postponed his visit to Mozambique this week, according to the office.
Portuguese President Marcello Rebelo de Susa has canceled a trip to New York to address the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
In June, 96 percent of southern Europe was hit by a “severe” or “severe” drought.
The fire has prompted authorities to step up their warnings. The Portuguese government has issued a stern warning from Saturday to Friday.
“This means (…) we can automate and prevent all emergency and civil protection plans at all levels of the state,” said Interior Minister Jose Luis Carnero.
Extreme fires are raging in Portugal, where temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees Fahrenheit[439 ° C]. The country has approved restrictions on the entry of forests considered to be particularly endangered, and the use of farm machinery and fireworks is prohibited.
In a Twitter message, Costa urged citizens not to light fires outside or use heavy farm machinery that can cause fires.
“Fire prevention is the best aid we can give to our firefighters,” the prime minister wrote.
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