Wildfires sweeping across northern Portugal have claimed seven lives, injured dozens, and destroyed thousands of acres of forest, with officials suspecting that arson may have played a role in the devastation.

Portugal's unique climate, alongside the suspected arson, has worsened the impact of the fires, prompting a state of calamity for the hardest-hit areas in the north.

Among the victims were three firefighters: Sonia Cláudia Melo, Paulo Jorge Santos, and Susana Cristina Carvalho, according to a statement from Portugal’s civil protection service. National civil protection commander Andre Fernandes revealed that the firefighters perished when their vehicle was consumed by flames, though it remains unclear whether the vehicle crashed before being engulfed. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro hailed the firefighters as “heroes who gave their lives defending Portugal and the Portuguese people,” emphasizing that the greatest tribute to their memory is to continue the fight against the fires.

The other four victims were civilians caught in the blazes, which have also destroyed several homes and forced evacuations across northern Portugal.

Portugal’s Council of Ministers declared Friday a national day of mourning for the victims of the wildfires. Authorities suspect that several fires were started deliberately and have arrested 14 people under suspicion of arson. This follows a troubling pattern from previous years, with as many as 80% of last year's wildfires in Portugal reportedly started by arsonists.

While firefighters have managed to contain most of the blazes, the damage is extensive, with tens of thousands of acres of forest decimated. The government continues to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the causes of the fires are ongoing. (ILKHA)