A wildfire that started on Aug. 14 has burned over 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of mostly mountainous vegetation in Madeira, Portugal. Despite being brought under control, officials are remaining vigilant to prevent reignitions. The difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, including high temperatures and strong winds, have hindered firefighting efforts.
The EU provided assistance with two Canadair planes, helping to contain the blaze without any reported injuries or major destruction of property. Madeira, a popular tourist destination with around 250,000 residents, is an autonomous region of Portugal.
Climate change is contributing to an increase in wildfires worldwide, as rising global temperatures create more favorable conditions for these disasters. From Europe to North America and Asia, regions are experiencing more frequent and destructive wildfires due to climate change.