Southern Europe has been struck by intense wildfires already in late March, helped by low rainfall and dry weather for the season, especially in Spain and Portugal
Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia have been struck by wildfires already in early Spring, helped by abnormal weather for the season with low rainfall, high-speed winds and dry weather in these areas.
Firefighters have been fighting two major blazes in the Northern region of Portugal this Tuesday with schools and roads being shut by local authorities. With no rain on the past few weeks and high temperatures, reaching 28 degrees Celsius in some areas on Monday, Portugal has been on high alert since the end of the weekend in order to avoid tragedies such as the one of Pedrógão Grande in 2017, where 64 people were killed and more than 250 injured during this tragedy, in part due to the Socialist government nepotism and incompetence on nominating associates of the party in the Civil Protection unit.
Huge fires ongoing in Marinhas, Braga, Portugal today, March 26! Report: Ana Maria Barbosa / Meteo Tras os Montes pic.twitter.com/u0TEvipqLK
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) March 26, 2019
Fires have been raging in Northwestern Spain, in the region of Galicia, due to the same conditions seen in Portugal.
Wildfires in Galicia region, Spain on Mar 25th. Report: pic.twitter.com/Mh0gor6ldq
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) March 26, 2019
The scenarios are the same in Northwest Italy, in the town of Sacro Monte di Belmonte, where the Italian hills have also been engulfed by fire.
Big fire in Sacro Monte di Belmonte(TO), NW Italy last night, March 25! Photo: Enzo Zucco / Meteo Piemonte pic.twitter.com/yoCk1hGB9f
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) March 26, 2019
Croatia has also seen its share of fires, where we can see a Canadair water bomber fighting the flames in Sutina, Southern Croatia.
Canadair water bomber in action over fires near Sutina, S Croatia yesterday, March 25. Report: Mario Mušterić / partners @crometeohr pic.twitter.com/04A7tX4AOX
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) March 26, 2019
