Wildfires drop to a fifth of 2005 total
According to the Department of Forestry Resources (DGRF), northern Portugal was the hardest hit, with Viana do Castelo topping the list of areas reduced to ashes by fires.
However, the numbers released by the DGRF are extremely positive when compared with previous years, with the areas affected by fires having dropped from more than 300,000 hectares in 2005 (up until the end of August) to the current figure of just under 58,000 hectares.
The DGRF figures further illustrate that a total of 18,770 single fires were recorded by fire and rescue teams across the country since January, though a large percentage of this total resulted in minimal damage.
August was also by far the worst month of 2006, with 62 percent (40,049 hectares) being burnt.
The worst affected districts were Viana do Castelo (15,369 hectares), Braga (9,500), Évora (6,305) and Viseu (5,329).