Alterations in Weather Aid Firefighting Efforts
Good news for firefighters in Portugal, who've been battling fierce wildfires for days. Recent changes in weather might just tip the scale in their favor. Decreasing winds and rising humidity could assist in containing the fires, as reported by state TV station RTP.
If forecasted rain materializes, it could offer even more relief in the battle against these infernos. However, it could also spark mudslides on charred land, as mentioned by state news agency Lusa.
Several of the over 100 fires, predominantly in Portugal's center and north, have either been extinguished or brought under control, like in the town of Nelas, central Portugal, as per Lusa. This year's burned area of 140,000 hectares (1400 square kilometers) is the greatest in the past seven years.
As of now, ten casualties have been reported – five firefighters lost their lives battling the flames, while five others succumbed to heart attacks due to fear and stress, as reported by Lusa. Around 4000 firefighters, backed by water-bombing aircraft and helicopters, are on duty nationwide to combat these fires.
Thanks to the wildfires, Portugal's carbon emissions in September surged to their highest levels in 22 years, estimated at 1.9 million tons, according to the EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). Smoke emissions are projected to reach parts of Spain and France by the weekend.
The forecasted rain could significantly aid in extinguishing the remaining fires, providing additional relief to firefighters. However, the wet conditions could also increase the risk of landslides in areas affected by the fires.
