Latest news with #IberianPeninsula
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Spain and Portugal battle wave of wildfires as temperatures expected to rise
Thousands of firefighters in Spain and Portugal are battling an ongoing wave of wildfires, some of which have been burning for days as temperatures are expected to rise in the Iberian Peninsula. In central Spain, firefighters and a special military unit worked overnight to control blazes in the province of Avila, focusing on confining a fire burning near the village of El Arenal, about 100km (62 miles) west of Madrid, emergency services said. In the western province of Caceres, local authorities said firefighters had largely stabilised a fire that affected some 2,500 hectares (roughly 6,178 acres). Most evacuation orders had been lifted, authorities said. In Portugal, more than 2,000 firefighters were battling blazes across the country, particularly in the north. Much of Spain and Portugal is under a high risk of wildfires and temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend. Spain's meteorology service AEMET predicted that temperatures in central and southern Spain could exceed 40C by Sunday. In Portugal, temperatures are expected to rise on Saturday into the upper 30Cs across most of the country. Despite record-high temperatures exceeding 40C in the region in June, wildfires in Spain this year have so far burned less surface area than in previous years. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in south-eastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. The burning of fuels such as gasoline, oil and coal, plus deforestation, wildfires and many kinds of factories release heat-trapping gasses that cause climate change. Human activities often trigger wildfires. On Thursday, Albanian authorities said 21 people were taken into custody for suspected arson over the past few weeks, when the country was battling 59 major wildfires that damaged 29,000 hectares (71,660 acres) of land. Albania's interior minister Arsen Hoxha said most of the wildfires, which were extinguished by rain, had been started by humans.
BreakingNews.ie
14 hours ago
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Spain and Portugal battle wave of wildfires as temperatures expected to rise
Thousands of firefighters in Spain and Portugal are battling an ongoing wave of wildfires, some of which have been burning for days as temperatures are expected to rise in the Iberian Peninsula. In central Spain, firefighters and a special military unit worked overnight to control blazes in the province of Avila, focusing on confining a fire burning near the village of El Arenal, about 100km (62 miles) west of Madrid, emergency services said. Advertisement In the western province of Caceres, local authorities said firefighters had largely stabilised a fire that affected some 2,500 hectares (roughly 6,178 acres). People watch the firefighting efforts as a fire progresses in A Caniza, Pontevedra province, north-west Spain (Adrian Irago/Europa Press via AP) Most evacuation orders had been lifted, authorities said. In Portugal, more than 2,000 firefighters were battling blazes across the country, particularly in the north. Much of Spain and Portugal is under a high risk of wildfires and temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend. Advertisement Spain's meteorology service AEMET predicted that temperatures in central and southern Spain could exceed 40C by Sunday. In Portugal, temperatures are expected to rise on Saturday into the upper 30Cs across most of the country. Despite record-high temperatures exceeding 40C in the region in June, wildfires in Spain this year have so far burned less surface area than in previous years. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Advertisement Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in south-eastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. The burning of fuels such as gasoline, oil and coal, plus deforestation, wildfires and many kinds of factories release heat-trapping gasses that cause climate change. Human activities often trigger wildfires. On Thursday, Albanian authorities said 21 people were taken into custody for suspected arson over the past few weeks, when the country was battling 59 major wildfires that damaged 29,000 hectares (71,660 acres) of land. Advertisement Albania's interior minister Arsen Hoxha said most of the wildfires, which were extinguished by rain, had been started by humans.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Wildfires ravage Spain and Portugal as temperatures expected to rise across Europe
Thousands of firefighters across Spain and Portugal are battling an ongoing wave of wildfires, some of which have been burning for days, as temperatures are set to rise further across the Iberian Peninsula. In central Spain, firefighters and a special military unit worked overnight to control blazes in Avila province, focusing on a fire near El Arenal, about 100km (62 miles) west of Madrid, emergency services said. In the western province of Caceres, authorities reported a fire affecting some 2,500 hectares (roughly 6,178 acres) had been largely stabilised, with most evacuation orders lifted. Meanwhile, in Portugal, more than 2,000 firefighters are deployed across the country, particularly in the north, as they continue to tackle widespread blazes. Much of Spain and Portugal is under a high risk of wildfires and temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend. Spain's meteorology service AEMET predicted that temperatures in central and southern Spain could exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) by Sunday. In Portugal, temperatures are expected to rise Saturday into the upper 30s Celsius across most of the country. Despite record-high temperatures in June that topped 40 degrees Celsius on several days, wildfires in Spain this year have so far burned less surface area than in recent years. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union 's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in southeastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. The burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal, plus deforestation, wildfires and many kinds of factories release heat-trapping gasses that cause climate change.
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Associated Press
Spain and Portugal battle wave of wildfires as temperatures expected to rise
MADRID (AP) — Thousands of firefighters in Spain and Portugal on Thursday battled an ongoing wave of wildfires, some of which have been burning for days as temperatures are expected to rise in the Iberian Peninsula. In central Spain, firefighters and a special military unit worked overnight to control blazes in the province of Avila, focusing on confining a fire burning near the village of El Arenal, about 100 km (62 miles) west of Madrid, emergency services said. In the western province of Caceres, local authorities said firefighters had largely stabilized a fire that affected some 2,500 hectares (roughly 6,178 acres.) Most evacuation orders had been lifted, authorities said. In Portugal, more than 2,000 firefighters were battling blazes across the country, particularly in the north. Much of Spain and Portugal is under a high risk of wildfires and temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend. Spain's meteorology service AEMET predicted that temperatures in central and southern Spain could exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) by Sunday. In Portugal, temperatures are expected to rise Saturday into the upper 30s Celsius across most of the country. Despite record-high temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius the region in June, wildfires in Spain this year have so far burned less surface area than in previous years. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in southeastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. The burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal, plus deforestation, wildfires and many kinds of factories release heat-trapping gasses that cause climate change.
Reuters
21 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Portugal's EDP raises 2025 targets after solid first half
LISBON, July 31 (Reuters) - Portugal's largest utility EDP ( opens new tab raised 2025 profit targets on Thursday after first-half earnings improved thanks to cost savings and higher electricity generation. EDP said it expected to make recurring net profit, which excludes capital gains on the sales of assets, of between 1.2 billion euros and 1.3 billion euros ($1.4-1.5 billion) this year, up from the previously estimated 1.2 billion euros. Recurring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in 2025 would be around 4.8 billion to 4.9 billion euros, up from previous guidance of 4.8 billion euros. EDP shares were little changed in early trading. "We had a good first half with solid (recurring) results, in operational terms ... with efficiency gains and cost reductions and this allowed us to improve our guidance for this year," Chief Executive Miguel Stilwell de Andrade told Reuters. In the first half, EDP's recurring net profit rose 27% to 752 million euros, and recurring EBITDA increased 7% to 2.6 billion euros. EDP said that total electricity generation increased 12% to 34.6 terawatt-hours, sustained by high rainfall in the Iberian peninsula, which filled reservoirs to 87% of their capacity, and by natural gas power plants. It said that after the major power outage in Spain and Portugal on April 28 production from gas plants was prioritised to strengthen the resilience of the electricity grid. The CEO said that for large grid investments needed in Iberia to materialise "it is crucial that regulators in Portugal and Spain, in their upcoming reviews, increase the rates of return on this asset base". He said the rates of return were now around 5.6% in both countries, but should be increased "to more reasonable levels", in line with other European countries where investments are rewarded with returns as high as 7.5%. As of June, EDP's installed capacity was 32.3 gigawatts, 11% more than a year earlier. ($1 = 0.8733 euros)
