More than 1,000 firefighters tackle wildfires in Portugal amid extreme heat warnings

Firefighters attempt to control the flames as Portugal experiences several days of extreme heat, ITV News Reporter Sam Holder has the latest

More than 1,000 of firefighters are tackling a series of wildfires in Portugal as extreme heat grips the country.

Around 1,400 people were evacuated from their homes in the town of Odemira, 125 miles south of Lisbon, as firefighters tackle a blaze which is now spreading south towards the Algarve.

Over 300 fire vehicles and at least nine water carrier aircraft responded to the inferno on Monday, the Associated Press reported.

It has so far scorched around 7,000 hectares.

On Monday, the country's hottest temperature of the year was recorded in Santarém, north-east of Lisbon, where temperatures soared to 46.4C.

Two other major fires spread across the country on Monday.

It came as Portugal’s national weather service issued a red warning for several regions in which temperatures were expected to reach between 40 and 43 degrees.

Warnings remain in place for much of the country on Tuesday.

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