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Hundreds of Portuguese firefighters are battling a fast-growing wildfire in Madeira. The fire is burning along the southern coast of the Portuguese island, where many tourists also come. High temperatures, low humidity and strong winds are making fighting the blaze difficult.
About 200 firefighters backed by 38 vehicles are battling the blaze. Portugal has also sent about 80 firefighters from the mainland to Madeira to help. The Azores sent another 15 firefighters to Madeira on Sunday.
No injuries or deaths have been reported so far, but 160 people have been evacuated as a precaution.
Fire complex
The fire broke out last week in a remote area of the island in the Atlantic Ocean. The fire now has three fronts, making fighting the fire even more complicated.
Code orange applies to the entire coast of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal, due to high temperatures. This is the second highest level of warning. Temperatures on the island could rise above 30 degrees.
As well as forest fires in southern France.
A large fire also broke out in the town of Gégane in southern France, near Montpellier. According to French media, at least 300 hectares have burned and around 500 firefighters have been mobilized to combat the blaze. No injuries have been reported.