A firefighting airplane operates over a fire in the village of Chaveira, near Macao, in central Portugal, on 22 July 2019. Photo: Sergio Azenha / AP
A firefighting airplane operates over a fire in the village of Chaveira, near Macao, in central Portugal, on 22 July 2019. Photo: Sergio Azenha / AP

By Alan Taylor
23 July 2019

(The Atlantic) – Over the past few days in Portugal’s Castelo Branco region, strong winds and temperatures greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) have driven devastating wildfires through several villages, destroying structures and injuring 39 people. Nearly 2,000 firefighters worked to bring the three major fires largely under control, but authorities warned that hot and dry conditions could lead to more flare-ups. Below, images of the wildfires and of the residents, volunteers, and professionals working to minimize the damage. [more]

Wildfires Rage in Central Portugal