Portugal asks for 2 more planes to fight wildfires

[August 30, 2013]  LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- Wildfires are scorching large areas of forest in Portugal and the country has asked other European nations two send two more water-dropping aircraft to help battle the blazes.

Jorge Dias, spokesman for Portugal's National Civil Protection Authority, said Friday that France and Spain have each sent three Canadair planes designed for dropping water on wildfires, but more are needed.

Some 1,300 firefighters were fighting six major blazes in the north of Portugal amid continuing hot weather and high winds.

The two biggest wildfires were in dense, hilly woodland near Viseu, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) north of Lisbon, the capital.

More than 900 firefighters and 288 vehicles were deployed at those blazes.

[Associated Press]

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