October 2017 Iberian wildfires
| October 2017 Iberian wildfires | |
|---|---|
Satellite image depicting smoke from wildfires in Portugal and northwestern Spain on 8 October.
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| Statistics | |
| Total fires | 7,980 |
| Total area | 133,437 Acres (54,000 ha) |
| Cost | Unknown |
| Date(s) | October 15, 2017 – present |
| Fatalities | 48 |
| Injuries | 91 |
In October 2017, wildfires in Portugal and Spain killed 48 people. The fires were buffeted by winds from Hurricane Ophelia.
Starting on 15 October 2017, winds from Hurricane Ophelia fanned wildfires in both Portugal and Spain. The wildfires have claimed the lives of at least 48 individuals, including 44 in Portugal and four in Spain, and dozens more were injured. In Portugal, on its worst day, firefighters battled over 300 fires. The Portuguese Secretary of State of Internal Administration Jorge Gomes said most of the fires had been started deliberately and the country sought assistance from European neighbours and Morocco.
The Prime Minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy, said he believes the fires were lit by arsonists. Portuguese Minister of Internal Administration Constança Urbano de Sousa said "We have all our firefighters out there doing everything they can."/
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