Latest news with #NationalCivilProtectionAuthority
Qatar Tribune
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Strong winds complicate wildfire battles in Spain
Strong winds have hampered efforts to contain unremitting wildfires that continue to spread in Spain despite lower temperatures, as the death toll in Portugal has climbed to three people after a man was killed while helping fight fires there along the Iberian Peninsula. Firefighters, backed by troops and water-dropping aircraft, were battling 21 blazes in western Spain classified as 'operational level two', meaning they pose a direct threat to nearby communities, said Virginia Barcones, director general of emergency services on Wednesday. 'Temperatures have dropped, but strong gusts of wind continue to hinder firefighting efforts, and the lack of rain is not helping, though we hope that changes in the coming days,' she told a news conference. Forecasters said winds were expected to ease later in the day, with higher humidity levels likely to help efforts. Rain was forecast in some fire-hit regions on Thursday. Spain endured a 16-day heatwave that ended Monday, with temperatures having soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104F) in many regions. The heat-fuelled wildfires have killed four people. Train service between Madrid and the northwestern region of Galicia – suspended on August 14 – would resume because 'tracks are now safe', railway operator Adif said. The wildfires 'are being gradually brought under control,' said Al Jazeera's Sonia Gallego, reporting from the Galicia region at the site of 'a controlled fire that was deliberately set alight by firefighters here,' which is done 'to try to get the fire to change direction, to avoid it causing even more damage.' Earlier in the day, firefighters 'set the fire and then used the wind, which was blowing in the opposite direction to where the crops were and the wood, in order to direct those blazes and for it to extinguish itself naturally,' said Gallego. 'Because one of the reasons these wildfires have been extremely serious this year is there have been very strong winds coupled with record-breaking heatwaves.' Officials said many of the fires were sparked by lightning during dry storms, though arson is suspected in some cases. Aircraft from Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Slovenia have joined the firefighting effort. Germany sent 60 firefighters and 24 vehicles, France deployed 66 firefighters and 23 vehicles, while Finland sent 26 firefighters. Nearly 400,000 hectares (988,000 acres) have burned in Spain this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), surpassing the previous record of 306,000 hectares (756,000 acres) in 2022, the worst season since records began in 2006. In Portugal, a man died in an accident involving construction equipment being used to contain the flames. He had worked for a company hired to help the northern municipality of Mirandela fight the fires, commander Paulo Santos of the National Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) told the AFP news agency. Approximately 15 people were also injured in Portugal – one critically – while fighting fires Tuesday near the central city of Sabugal, where two water-bombing aeroplanes sent by Sweden through the European Union's civil protection agency were deployed. Crews were still battling four large fires on Wednesday morning, the most complex of which were raging in the north and centre of the country. More than 2,600 firefighters have been deployed, supported by about 20 aircraft. Since the start of the year, more than 261,000 hectares (645,000 acres) in Portugal have been destroyed by fires, according to the EFFIS, compared with 143,000 hectares (353,000 acres) in 2024. The fires in Spain and Portugal have been fuelled by heatwaves and drought blamed on climate change. Lower humidity in the air, vegetation and soil makes it easier for wildfires to ignite and harder to control them once they start. (Agencies)
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- Climate
- RTÉ News
Man killed as wildfires burn in Portugal and Spain
A man was killed while helping fight wildfires that have been scorching Portugal, the country's civil protection service has said, bringing the death toll from the fires to three. The man, who worked for a company hired to help the northern municipality of Mirandela fight the fires, died in an accident involving construction equipment that was being used to contain the flames, commander Paulo Santos of the National Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) said. The victim was initially cited as being 75 years old, however local city hall officials said he was 65. Around 15 people were also injured - one critically - while fighting fires yesterday near the central city of Sabugal, where two water-bombing airplanes sent by Sweden through the EU's civil protection agency were deployed. Crews were still battling four large fires on this morning, the most complex of which were raging in the north and centre of the country. Watch: Satellite images show rapid spread of wildfires across Iberian Peninsula Over 2,600 firefighters have been deployed, supported by about 20 aircraft. In neighbouring Spain, wildfires have killed four people and burned a record area of land this year - around 373,000 hectares, the equivalent of nearly half a million football fields. The fires have been fuelled by heatwaves and drought blamed on climate change. Since the start of the year, more than 261,000 hectares in Portugal have been destroyed by fires, according to the European Forest Fire Information System, compared to 143,000 hectares in 2024. In 2017, Portugal saw a particularly devastating fire season, with 563,000 hectares scorched and 119 people killed. Watch: Spanish military firefighters battle overnight blazes across the country Spanish military emergency unit firefighters continued to battle different blazes overnight and into this morning in Galicia, Extremadura and Castilla y León regions. Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades, with Spain and Portugal among the hardest-hit countries. The fires have spread over the regions of Extremadura, Galicia, and Castile and León, forcing authorities to suspend rail services and cut access to roads in the area, as well as blocking a 50km stretch of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System showed the fires have burned vegetation on 38,000 hectares since Monday, just below 42,000 hectares during the whole of 2024. However, the national weather agency, which on Monday declared the end of one of the longest heatwaves in the past five decades, now expects temperatures to fall and humidity to rise.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Portugal wildfires death toll rises to three as heatwave fuels blazes
LISBON: A man has died while assisting wildfire suppression efforts in Portugal, raising the death toll to three as multiple fires continue to rage across the country. The victim was working for a company contracted to help the northern municipality of Mirandela combat the flames when the fatal accident occurred. Commander Paulo Santos of the National Civil Protection Authority confirmed the incident involved construction equipment being used for fire containment operations. The victim was initially cited as being 75 years old, however local city hall officials told AFP he was 65. Approximately 15 people sustained injuries during firefighting operations near the central city of Sabugal on Tuesday, with one person in critical condition. Two water-bombing airplanes sent by Sweden through the EU's civil protection agency were deployed to assist operations in the Sabugal area. Fire crews were still battling four large fires on Wednesday morning, with the most complex blazes raging in the north and centre of the country. Over 2,600 firefighters have been deployed to combat the wildfires, supported by about 20 aircraft. Neighbouring Spain has also experienced severe wildfire activity, with four fatalities and a record 373,000 hectares burned this year. The fires have been fuelled by heatwaves and drought blamed on climate change. Since the start of the year, more than 261,000 hectares in Portugal have been destroyed by fires, according to the European Forest Fire Information System, compared to 143,000 hectares in 2024. Portugal experienced a particularly devastating fire season in 2017, with 563,000 hectares scorched and 119 people killed. – AFP
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Watch: Rare roll cloud appears over Portugal beach, leaves the Internet in awe
In a breathtaking display of nature, a rare 'roll cloud,' a long, tube-shaped cloud formation, was spotted rolling over the coastline of Póvoa do Varzim, Portugal, on Monday. The unusual phenomenon unfolded as the country endured an intense heatwave, adding to a series of strange and unstable weather according to reports by EuroNews. The now-viral video captures the cloud sweeping in from the ocean, looking like a giant white cylinder slowly approaching the beach. As it nears the shore, strong gusts of wind whip through the area, startling beachgoers. The video was shared by @volcaholic1 on X with the caption, 'Incredible roll cloud in Póvoa do Varzim, Portugal yesterday… ' The video has garnered 31.2K views on the social media platform. Incredible roll cloud in Póvoa do Varzim, Portugal yesterday… 📹 António Pereira/fb — Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 30, 2025 Another wrote, 'Holy canoly! Is this the storm front that will give Europeans a respite from the heatwave in a few days?' A third user said, 'They used to be very common here in Northern Portugal back when my parents were kids (60s–70s), and then they disappeared until yesterday.' One Instagram user said, 'I'd sit on the beach and imagine it was a gigantic wave!' According to EuroNews, the roll cloud appeared on multiple beaches along the Portuguese coast. Its appearance coincided with a weekend of extreme heat across mainland Portugal, where violent thunderstorms, hailstorms, and freak rain showers were reported in the country. The country's National Civil Protection Authority has issued heatwave alerts and fire warnings, with the risk level for wildfires ranging from 'Very High' to 'Maximum' in areas like the North, Centre, and Algarve. Authorities have urged residents to follow safety precautions as temperatures are expected to climb further this week. A roll cloud, also known as volutus, is a rare meteorological phenomenon classified under arcus clouds, a group of low, horizontal cloud formations often linked to thunderstorms. Roll clouds are distinct in their tube-like shape and the way they appear to rotate slowly along a horizontal axis, independent of the parent storm. These clouds form under specific atmospheric conditions, usually when cold downdrafts from a storm hit the ground and push outward, forcing warmer, moist air upward. As this air rises and cools rapidly, condensation occurs, creating the cloud. Roll clouds can also occur due to coastal breezes, where cooler air from the land pushes beneath warmer sea air, triggering similar cloud formation. Though dramatic in appearance, roll clouds rarely pose a danger, but they do offer a spectacular visual display of the atmosphere in motion.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Watch: Rare 'tsunami roll cloud' appears over Portugal beaches, sparks doomsday debate
A rare roll cloud surprised beachgoers in Portugal amidst a severe heatwave, appearing along the coast on Monday. This unusual weather event, captured in social media videos, followed unexpected rain, hail, and thunderstorms on Sunday. Authorities have issued fire risk warnings as temperatures are expected to rise further, urging the public to follow safety guidelines. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Heatwave triggers unusual weather patterns What is a roll cloud or Tsunami cloud? Social media reactions Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Authorities issue fire risk warnings A rare meteorological event known as a " roll cloud " appeared over beaches in Portugal on Monday, catching beachgoers by surprise and gaining attention on social media. According to EuroNews, the cloud formation occurred as the country faced a severe heatwave. The unusual cloud was seen rolling in from the ocean along several parts of the Portuguese has been experiencing extreme temperatures over recent days, with the heat triggering unstable weather across the mainland. On Sunday, various parts of the country witnessed unexpected weather events including sudden rain, hail, and thunderstorms. The roll cloud on Monday added to the list of rare occurrences.A roll cloud is a low, horizontal, tube-shaped arcus cloud that moves along a horizontal axis. It forms when cool air flows into warm, moist air, often ahead of a thunderstorm. Though it resembles a massive ocean wave, it is unrelated to clip shared on social media shows the dense cloud emerging from the ocean and rapidly approaching the beach. As it moves inland, strong winds begin to blow, startling people on the video, posted by the user @volcaholic1 on June 30, 2025, has gathered over 20,000 views and continues to circulate widely online."Holy canoly! Is this the storm front that will give Europeans a respite from the heatwave in a few days?" one user asked."It's interesting, because they used to be very common here in Northern Portugal back when my parents were kids (60s-70s) and then they disappeared until yesterday," wrote another."Wow, it's like a wave!" another viewer commented. "So ominous looking!" added a different temperatures are expected to rise further this week, the National Civil Protection Authority has issued alerts and safety recommendations. The agency has classified the risk of rural fires as 'Very High' to 'Maximum' in northern and central interior regions as well as the Also | Man jumps overboard to save daughter after she falls from Disney cruise shipAccording to EuroNews, the Portuguese authorities are closely monitoring weather developments and have urged the public to follow preventive guidelines to ensure safety during the ongoing heatwave.
