Portugal fights autumn wildfires

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2005

LISBON (AFP) — Drought-hit Portugal, which already experienced one of its worst-ever summers for forest fires, continued to suffer wildfire damage as scorching temperatures extended into the autumn.

More than 300 firefighters backed by six water-dropping planes battled a forest fire that has raged for over 24 hours near the central city of Leiria, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) northeast of Lisbon.

"The situation is very complicated, there have been various flare-ups," the commander of the city's firefighting force, Jose Moura, told Radio Renascenca.

The fire had forced the closure of several area roads and was threatening built-up areas, he added.

Firefighters were also at the scene of another fire raging in the central Serra da Estrela Nature Park,...