A tragic incident occurred in Portugal where a 65-year-old firefighter, engaged in combating wildfires, was fatally run over by his own bulldozer. This unfortunate event raises the country's death toll from the disastrous blazes to three. The man was operating the bulldozer in the Mirandela region when he reportedly fell from the vehicle while attempting to evade the advancing flames.
Portugal has been grappling with wildfires since late July, with the northern and central parts of the country bearing the brunt of the destruction. Neighboring Spain has also been severely affected by wildfires, resulting in four fatalities and extensive damage across an area surpassing that of Long Island, New York. Fortunately, temperatures in the region have begun to decrease after a relentless heatwave persisted for 16 days.
Despite a slight cooling in temperatures, firefighting efforts remain critical. On Tuesday, around 15 individuals sustained injuries while battling blazes near Sabugal, with one person in critical condition. Reports from Spanish media indicate that while the heat may have lessened, approximately 40 wildfires remain active, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to urge heightened caution among residents.
The European Forest Fire Information System has reported that so far this year, wildfires in Spain have scorched at least 373,000 hectares. A resident from Galicia shared their harrowing experience, stating, "We had to run away because the fire was coming in from everywhere."
The Spanish government has indicated that many fires were ignited by lightning during dry storms, though arson remains a concern, with 32 arrests made and a total of 188 fire-related investigations initiated. In Spain, even accidental causes of wildfires can lead to criminal charges.
Recent statistics show that Portugal has seen approximately 216,000 hectares burned in wildfires during 2025 only. Both Spain and Portugal have activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to request assistance as these situations arise, highlighting the rising severity of wildfires in southern Europe, particularly exacerbated by extreme heat conditions.
