Spain and Portugal brace for an intense heatwave with temperatures soaring 5-10 degrees above normal, reaching up to 42°C. Authorities warn of a high risk of wildfires, with significant blazes already affecting regions like Vila Real in Portugal and Vilardevós in Spain. The heatwave is expected to persist until at least Sunday, exacerbating the threat of wildfires in the already dry landscapes.
Heatwave and Wildfire Alert in Spain and Portugal
Heatwave and Wildfire Alert in Spain and Portugal
Extreme Heat and Wildfires Threaten Spain and Portugal
Authorities in Spain and Portugal are warning of a prolonged heatwave and a high risk of wildfires in the coming week.
Temperatures are expected to be 5–10 degrees higher than usual for this time of year, with parts of Spain reaching around 42 degrees Celsius, according to AFP. Meanwhile, Portugal warns of ongoing wildfires until Thursday, as firefighters in both countries battle blazes currently raging.
"Prolonged Heat"
"The heat is likely to last long and continue at least until Sunday," reports the Spanish weather service Aemet.
In Portugal, the government issued a heat warning on Saturday, initially valid until Thursday.
The already dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires.
Portuguese firefighters battled several large wildfires on Sunday. The situation was particularly severe around Vila Real in northern Portugal, where hundreds of firefighters were involved in extinguishing efforts.
High Risk of Wildfires
Large parts of Spain also face a high risk of wildfires. Near the town of Vilardevós in the northwestern part of the country, firefighters continued on Sunday to try to control a fire that has already destroyed about 570 hectares of land in recent days, AFP reports.
Since the beginning of the year, wildfires have ravaged more than 25,700 hectares in Portugal, according to EFFIS, the European Forest Fire Information System.
Temperatures of up to 42 degrees are expected in parts of the Spanish regions of Extremadura in the west and Andalusia in the south.
Both Spain and Portugal struggle with devastating wildfires every year as heatwaves become longer and more extreme.