In Southern Portugal, a wildfire has forced some 1,400 people to flee

 In Southern Portugal, a wildfire has forced some 1,400 people to flee

Strong winds and high temperatures have made it difficult to put out the fires, which have burned through about 6,700 hectares of land.

Odemira: Around 1,400 people were evacuated due to a fire that was burning in southern Portugal on Tuesday. The fire has burnt thousands of hectares of land.

The wildfire, which is presently being fought by over 850 firemen and six water-bombing aircraft, originated on Saturday in the Alentejo region's Odemira municipality but has since extended south to the Algarve, one of Portugal's most popular tourist areas.

Combating the flames, which have scorched almost 6,700 hectares of land, has been made more difficult by high temperatures and strong winds. Weather conditions were anticipated to continue to be difficult, according to Jose Ribeiro, commander of the emergency and civil protection authority.

On Monday, just before dusk, a massive smoke cloud covered the sky, turning Odemira's sky black.

Helder Guerreiro, the mayor of Odemira, described the situation as "critical, difficult, and complex," whilst Ribeiro claimed there was still "a lot of work" to be done to put out the blaze.

During a morning briefing, Ribeiro said, "It is a worrying situation," adding that there were two active fronts, one of which was headed towards Monchique, a forested mountainous region in the Algarve.

The thermal springs and hotels in Monchique, which experienced its most recent fire in 2018, are well-liked by both residents and visitors.

A camping area, four tourist lodgings, 19 minor villages—including one in Monchique—and one have all been evacuated as a precaution. According to officials, a number of roadways have been closed.

Authorities have issued health warnings as a result of record-breaking temperatures in southern European nations like Portugal during the busiest summer travel season.

According to scientists, climate change is causing heat waves to increase in frequency, intensity, and seasonal distribution.

On Tuesday, the northern city of Castelo Branco in Portugal was projected to reach a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit), putting three districts on red alert. Evora should see temperatures of 40°C and Beja of 38°C in Alentejo.

More than 120 towns in Portugal, including those in Lisbon, the Alentejo, and the Algarve, have been classified as having a high risk of wildfires by the authorities.

The secretary of state for civil protection, Patricia Gaspar, stated at a news conference that any tiny incidence (fire) might become a huge one due to the meteorological conditions we will be experiencing in the upcoming days.