Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires rage across the Mediterranean island of Sardinia and the Iberian nation of Portugal. The fires have been fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, posing a serious threat to lives and properties.
In Sardinia, more than 50 wildfires have burned an estimated 10,000 acres of forest in the mountainous area of Montiferru. Several buildings have been damaged as the flames spread toward residential areas. Authorities evacuated 200 people from the town of Cuglieri and another 155 from Sennariolo.
In nearby Santu Lussurgiu, the mayor Diego Loi ordered 60 people to leave their homes and said he feared the worst. The island’s forestry agency described the situation as a “tragic day” and said it was fighting against a “plague” that was devastating the land. Eleven aircraft, including seven Canadair, were deployed to help extinguish the flames.
In Portugal, where temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius, hundreds of people were also forced to flee as wildfires swept through central regions.