Not surprisingly, and long before it is even over, August has been declared the month of 2024 in which the largest area of land in Portugal has been burnt by forest fires. According to data from the ICNF (institute for the conservation of nature and forests), damages have already doubled Julyās figures. Between August 1 and 15, 3484 hectares were burnt, while in the whole of July only 1,582 hectares suffered fire damage. Indeed, the area burnt in the first two weeks ofĀ this month corresponds to 44% of the total area burnt this year in mainland Portugal (7,949 hectares). And we still have a good six weeks to go before the habitually ādangerous periodā for wildfires is over – if this year is like recent years, the hot weather could go on well into October, meaning wildfire risks will be riding high.
August is month with most area burnt by wildfires
