Portugal has requested emergency assistance from the European Union as major wildfires continue to spread across several regions amid an intense heatwave, with authorities warning that high temperatures and dry conditions are fueling the blazes.

As of Friday evening, six major wildfires remained active across the country, with the most critical situation reported in the municipality of Vouzela in the central Viseu district.

EU activates emergency assistance mechanism

The Portuguese government activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism and requested four Canadair firefighting aircraft as well as support from Spain's Military Emergency Unit. Authorities also implemented bilateral civil protection agreements with Spain and Morocco. Under the agreements, Spain has already deployed one Canadair aircraft to assist firefighting efforts.

More than 1,500 personnel, around 500 ground vehicles and 25 aircraft have been mobilized nationwide to combat the fires.

The largest wildfire, which broke out on Thursday night in Vouzela, continued to burn across multiple fronts. Approximately 1,100 firefighters, supported by 360 vehicles and 11 aircraft, were engaged in efforts to contain the blaze.

Portugal's National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPC) said the fire was threatening residential areas, forcing the closure of part of the Vouga railway line. At least seven people were reported injured.

The flames have also spread to the neighboring municipalities of Oliveira de Frades, Águeda and Tondela. In Tondela, two villages were partially evacuated as a precautionary measure.

According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 11,000 hectares of land had been burned by midday Friday.

Other major wildfire zones include Barcelos and Cinfães, where emergency crews continue to battle advancing flames.

Authorities investigate possible arson

Interior Minister Luís Neves said authorities suspect that some of the large wildfires that erupted during nighttime hours may have been deliberately set.

"Weather conditions during the night were not favorable for the outbreak of wildfires. Nevertheless, fires started at two separate locations before dawn. All indications point to human intervention and a criminal act," Neves said.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who was in Toronto, Canada, said Portugal had entered the wildfire season prepared and that all available resources had been mobilized to respond to the emergency.

Nationwide alert remains in effect

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported that wildfire risk had reached "very high" or "maximum" levels across much of the country. The government declared a nationwide state of alert from Friday through midnight Monday.

Under the alert measures, access to forested areas has been restricted, while fireworks, agricultural burning and other activities that could increase wildfire risk have been temporarily banned.

Temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in some regions, while nighttime temperatures have remained above 20 degrees. IPMA issued its highest-level red heat warning for 13 mainland districts, while orange alerts remain in effect for Bragança, Faro, Guarda, Vila Real and Viseu. (ILKHA)