Portugal wildfires spread as heat wave continues

Portuguese firefighters were battling multiple wildfires on Wednesday while the country is bracing for yet another heat wave in the coming days.

A violent blaze continued to roar in the area of Caldas da Rainha, a city some 90 kilometres (56 miles) north from the capital Lisbon.

Portuguese authorities announced Wednesday one firefighter had died after suffering a heart attack while tackling the flames.

Fire chief David Lobato said his team hopes to contain the fire within the next day, with more than 400 personnel involved in the operation.

Also on Wednesday, crews were gaining control of a wildfire that has scorched large swathes of pine forest in the Serra da Estrela national park for the past 12 days.

High temperatures, strong winds and a severe drought have helped sustain the biggest blaze of the summer, with the area's deep ravines and steep hills making firefighting difficult.

Smoke from the huge fire has reached Madrid in neighboring Spain, about 400 kilometers (240 miles) to the east.

More than 1,200 firefighters and 400 vehicles attended to the blaze, with as many as a dozen water-dumping aircraft due to join the battle as the day wore on.

The government warned that a third summer heat wave would tighten its grip on the country from Saturday.

The national weather agency said September is also forecast to be hotter and drier than average.

Portugal's wildfire season traditionally lasts until the end of September but in recent years has lasted longer.