ISTANBUL
Portugal activated the Civil Protection Mechanism after the first casualty was reported on Friday in the wildfire, which is still raging across multiple regions.
"Our fight against wildfires continues. Portugal has activated the Civil Protection Mechanism. European solidarity knows no borders. We are mobilising support," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on US social media company X.
As Portugal continues to battle multiple wildfires across the country, one person died, marking the first fatality from the ongoing fires.
With the blazes “showing no signs of letting up, the Government has decided to extend the alert situation, with all prohibitions in place until Sunday (Aug.) 17th,” the Interior Ministry also said late Thursday, as Portugal has been battling multiple fires since midweek.
In neighboring Spain, fires that killed three people and injured dozens continue to rage, forcing nearly 1,700 people to move to safer places, according to the daily El Pais.
The cities of Zamora, Leon, and Ourense are reportedly the worst affected, with the Zamora and Leon fires perhaps the largest ever recorded in Spain, according to initial estimates.
There are reportedly around 16 major fires at risk level 2, while 12 roads remain closed to traffic.
Several people have been arrested as suspected perpetrators of the fires in Ourense and Zamora, according to broadcaster RTVE.
"Today will once again be a very tough day, with an extreme risk of new fires. The Government remains fully committed with all its resources to stop the fire," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X.
A wave of wildfires sweeping across Spain has scorched nearly 115,000 hectares (284,000 acres) in just a few days.
Soaring temperatures are also gripping much of France, intensifying in the southwest and driving high fire risk across numerous departments, according to Meteo-France.
Meanwhile, a 58-year-old man suspected of several vegetation fires in the eastern Rhone department was also arrested on Friday.
Authorities are also investigating whether the summer’s largest wildfire in the southern Aude province, which killed one person, injured many others, and destroyed 36 homes, was deliberately set.
The blaze, which broke out on Aug. 5 between Lagrasse and Ribaute, scorched around 17,000 hectares before it was brought under control on Aug. 10. Prosecutors said natural causes had been ruled out and that the fire may have been caused intentionally, with further investigations underway.
The Balkan country of Albania has also been hit by dozens of blazes across several districts, with a significant improvement in the fire situation reported early Friday.
During this period, 28 fires were reported, including three active and six under monitoring, according to broadcaster RTSH, citing the Defense Ministry.