Portugal Wildfire Threatens Homes, EU Aid Requested

European Union Assistance Requested

Portugal has called for help from the European Union as a wildfire threatens homes in the southern Algarve region. The fire started on Saturday and has already burned over 10,000 hectares of land, destroying homes and forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

The European Union has responded by sending two firefighting planes to assist with the efforts to contain the blaze. The planes are part of the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, which provides assistance to countries affected by natural disasters.

Fire Threatens Homes

The fire is burning in the Serra do Caldeirão mountains, a popular tourist destination. The flames have already reached the outskirts of the town of Tavira, and firefighters are working to prevent it from spreading to the town center.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes, and many more are on standby to leave if the fire continues to spread. The fire has also caused significant damage to the local economy, as businesses have been forced to close and tourists have canceled their trips.

Cause of the Fire

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started accidentally. The Portuguese government has declared a state of emergency in the affected area, and the military has been deployed to help fight the fire.

International Assistance

In addition to the assistance from the European Union, Portugal has also requested help from other countries, including Spain and France. Firefighting crews from these countries are expected to arrive in Portugal in the coming days.

The international community has expressed its solidarity with Portugal, and many countries have offered their assistance. The United States has offered to send a team of firefighters to help with the efforts to contain the blaze.