Portugal battles with fires: 62,000 hectares burned and seven lives lost

The northern and central regions of mainland Portugal remain engulfed in flames, with the Aveiro district seeing the largest deployment of firefighting personnel, despite a calmer outlook.

The fires in Sever do Vouga (Pessegueiro do Vouga and Sever do Vouga) and Albergaria-a-Velha have begun to ease. As of Wednesday morning, more than 1,000 firefighters, supported by 320 vehicles, were actively involved in the response.

João Oliveira, the municipal coordinator of Civil Protection in Albergaria-a-Velha, told the Lusa news agency that the fire is "practically contained" but more than 40 houses have been affected by the flames.

Around 400 firefighters were working to combat the fire that broke out in the municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Some roads remain closed as authorities monitor the spread of the flames.

Homes in the Branzelo area of Melres, in the municipality of Gondomar, are being evacuated due to the fires raging in the Porto district, according to the officials.

More than 170 firefighters with 39 vehicles are battling the blaze. Gondomar's mayor, Marco Martins, said efforts to contain the fires are challenging, as multiple active fronts continue to spread across the municipality.

Around 230 Spanish firefighters from the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) arrived in Portugal on Wednesday to assist with the forest fires.

Morocco will also help Portuguese forces by sending two Canadair aircraft, which are set to arrive on Wednesday.

According to Lusa news agency, citing a source from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the request was made by Minister Margarida Blasco to her counterparts in Spain and Morocco, as part of the bilateral agreements between Portugal and these countries.

The European