Fire Destroys More Than 20% Of Portugal's Forests In 10 Years - Reuters

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LISBON - Fires in Portugal have destroyed more than a fifth of the country's forests in the past decade, a researcher said on Thursday.

In one of the first studies on fires in Portugal, Pedro Vieira estimates that between 1995 and 2005 fires wiped out more than 700,000 hectares (1.73 million acres) of forests, leaving 2.5 million hectares (6.25 million acres). This was despite heavy investment in firefighting equipment, Vieira told Reuters, adding: "That means there are huge inefficiencies among firefighters."

Vieira's study is due to be published next week.

Last year, the worst droughts in Portugal's history sparked raging fires. Millions of euros worth of damage was done to Portugal's struggling agricultural sector.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/37062/story.htm

[NNadir]

1. Can anyone say "feedback loop?"

[hatrack]

2. Everybody put your hands in the air, and wave 'em like you just don't care

(Repeat if necessary).