June 2017 Portugal wildfires
In June 2017, Portugal experienced devastating wildfires, notably in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande, which resulted in the deadliest fire event in the country’s history. Triggered by a combination of dry thunderstorms and a significant heatwave, the fires rapidly spread through the heavily forested areas, primarily dominated by flammable eucalyptus and pine trees. Over 60 people lost their lives, and more than 250 were injured, as the flames engulfed residential areas and trapped many in their vehicles. The wildfires scorched approximately 74,000 acres of land, destroyed hundreds of homes, and inflicted substantial economic damage estimated at $60 million.
Despite the official narrative attributing the fires to lightning strikes, many local firefighters were skeptical, suggesting that the fires had started earlier than reported. The incident raised concerns about the lack of coordinated fire prevention and response efforts, which were fragmented across various agencies. Following the crisis, discussions emerged around improving forest management, enhancing emergency communication systems, and implementing more effective fire prevention strategies to mitigate future risks. The psychological impact on survivors was significant, with many receiving mental health support for trauma related to the fires. Recovery efforts have been underway, but they have also led to shifts in community dynamics, including families opting to relocate.
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June 2017 Portugal wildfires
Date: June 2017
Place: Central Portugal
Result: 77 people dead, 253 injured, and 130,966 acres burned
Overview
Portugal is located at the southwestern edge of Europe, less than 150 miles (241 kilometers) from the southern tip of Spain and the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates the continent from Africa. The climate is warm and the winds from the Atlantic Ocean are strong.
Portugal is heavily forested with about 85 percent of its forests privately owned. Owners of these plots—which average about 12.7 acres—have often moved to the urban areas and do not clear brush and other debris from the forests. The majority of forests contain eucalyptus trees that originated in Australia and were taken to Europe during the eighteenth century. They thrived in the climate of Portugal and contributed to the growth of the paper industry. However, eucalyptus trees compete with native species for resources and are full of sap and highly flammable. Pine trees are also abundant in Portugal and are also very flammable.
Portugal has long had significant problems with wildfires. Between 1993 and 2013, the small nation saw more wildfires than neighboring Spain, France, Italy, or Greece. Portugal typically experiences an annual wildfire season of about two months, though scientists believe global climate change has extended the fire season to about five months.
The spring of 2017 was dry and warm, and as summer approached, the heat intensified. A scorching heatwave in June brought temperatures greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in some areas. The weather pattern sparked a series of dry thunderstorms across the country. Dry thunderstorms are environmental phenomena in which rain falls from clouds but evaporates before it reaches the ground because of the heat. However, lightning does reach the ground and can often ignite fires without the moisture from rain.
On Saturday, June 17, lightning sparked wildfires in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande in central Portugal. The flames spread quickly, and in many cases, wildfires completely surrounded residential areas. From Pedrogao Grande, the fires moved into neighboring municipalities, including Gois, Pampilhosa da Serra, and Arganil.
Many people tried to drive to safety; two were killed in a car accident as they fled. Many others were trapped and burned to death or died of smoke inhalation in their cars. Thirty bodies were recovered from gutted cars near the village of Nodeirinho. Another seventeen were found beside vehicles. Eleven people died trying to escape the nearby village of Pobrais, where survivors said roads were blocked and no rescuers came to help them. Witnesses who escaped said the fire was driven by the wind and spread through the canopies of trees.
France and Spain sent planes to help fight the wildfires. Other members of the European Commission also pledged their support. People from around the country sent food, water, and supplies to the first responders; so many supplies came in, that the first responders were overwhelmed.
By Wednesday, June 21, humidity had increased and temperatures had fallen. Firefighters finally put out the last of the Pedrogao Grande blaze. A day later, they extinguished the Gois wildfire. More than 60 people were killed, and more than 250 people, including at least eight firefighters, were injured. About 74,000 acres of forest was scorched, 485 houses were destroyed, and 49 businesses were affected. Damage to Portugal’s farming production was estimated at $25 million (21 million euros), while business damages were assessed at $35 million (31 million euros).
As the firefighting operations were drawing to a close, discussion turned to the reasons the fires were so deadly and damaging. The Portuguese weather agency, IPMA, said that the wildfires and the atmospheric instability surrounding them caused a downburst, a strong wind that blows down toward the ground. The downburst scattered burning embers great distances, further spreading the flames.
Impact
The June 2017 wildfires were the deadliest fires in Portuguese history. Although official reports stated the fires were started by lightning, local firefighters doubted that assessment. They claimed the fire began two hours before the storm arrived. Firefighters said they were hampered by lack of aerial equipment, though other nations did send aircraft to drop water.
Local media blamed officials and government agencies for failing to coordinate prevention, surveillance, detection, and response efforts. These duties were distributed among multiple agencies, which blamed each other for the lack of cooperation. A forest fire protection plan was proposed during the early twenty-first century, but was not pursued or implemented prior to the 2017 wildfires. Most of the nation’s fire protection resources were devoted to emergency response. Cutbacks during a three-year recession that began in 2011 also reduced forest management funding and other fire prevention measures.
Some experts suggested implementing safety lanes separating structures from forest; these lanes would aid residents in escaping and free up firefighters to battle the flames, rather than focus on evacuating residents. Others said they wanted to see homes built with safe rooms that would protect occupants from fire. Another suggestion was to police forestry companies, which were permitted to grow trees right up to roads. In a fire, close proximity of trees to roads could cut off escape. Forestry companies plant a great deal of eucalyptus trees because the trees are very profitable, but their volatility creates larger fires.
Emergency services noted that communications were cut off when towers holding the emergency phone network burned down and phone lines were burned. Critics also noted that the emergency system lacked a means to inform citizens of danger. They suggested an SMS text alert or mobile phone alert app that could be used to warn communities.
Experts stressed the need to devote efforts to preventing wildfires, such as a ban on all outdoor fires. Officials discussed pressing landowners to ensure forest lots were maintained and cleared of brush and other fuel. Forests could also be separated by open areas, which would stop fires from spreading easily. Many experts suggested boosting fire watch efforts by establishing patrols and setting up watchtowers.
A year after the wildfires, mental health agencies were treating numerous survivors, many with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Rebuilding efforts were progressing with about 157 homes rebuilt, but many families had chosen to move away.
Bibliography
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Fidler, Matt. “Portugal Wildfires in Pictures.” The Guardian, 18 June 2017, www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2017/jun/18/portugal-wildfires-in-pictures. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Hatton, Barry, and Ciaran Giles. “Portugal, a Country Helplessly Prone to Forest Fires.” Science X Network, 19 June 2017, phys.org/news/2017-06-portugal-country-helplessly-prone-forest.html. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Jones, Julia, Nicole Chavez, and Chandrika Narayan. “Portugal Wildfire: 62 Killed, Victims Burned in Cars as They Fled.” CNN, 19 June 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/06/18/europe/portugal-fire/index.html. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Jones, Sam. “Portugal Forest Fires Under Control After More than 60 Deaths.” The Guardian, 22 June 2017, www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/22/portugal-forest-fires-under-control. Accessed 14 May 2019.
“Portugal Fire: Firefighters Battle Deadly Blaze as Temperatures Soar.” BBC, 20 June 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40336622. Accessed 14 May 2019.
“Portugal Wildfires: Why Are They So Deadly?” BBC, 20 June 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40341180. Accessed 14 May 2019.