Portugal Burning

[sintax]

Portugal burning

Sunday, August 21, 2005 Updated at 5:47 PM EDT

Associated Press

Lisbon — Two Canadair water tank planes from France and one from Spain arrived in Portugal on Sunday afternoon to help fight more than 60 wildfires gripping the country from north to south, firefighters said. A third of these were burning in the northern districts of Viseu and Viana do Castelo.

On Monday, one of the Canadian-made water bombers from Italy plus three helicopters from Germany with 25 anti-fire specialists aboard were expected to arrive in the fire stricken country to add to the international task force.

On Saturday Portugal asked the European Union for help in fighting massive wildfires as the Interior ministry admitted it could no longer cope with dozens of blazes burning through forests and farmland without external help.

Portugal's worst drought in years has helped the flames spread. So far, 11 firefighters and four civilians have been killed in this year's fires, while 50 houses have been destroyed.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050821.wportu0821/BNStory/International/

[kansasblue]

1. Portugal burns, Alaska melts.

[punpirate]

3. Siberian forests on fire, too....

Not good.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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