More than 100 wildfires are stretching thousands of firefighters to the limit in northern Portugal. The country’s worst spate of fires in recent years is blamed for seven deaths since they spread out of control over the weekend.

Some 40 fires are still active and at least seven people have died in the Aveiro region since Sunday. After the deadly fires of 2017, the country thought it had taken steps to avoid such disasters. Forest management has come under particular scrutiny.

LISBON: Wildfires in Portugal's Aveiro district have claimed two lives and prompted the mobilisation of over 1,200 firefighters.

Nine aircraft were backing more than 700 firefighters combating flames near the town of Castro Daire in the district. Spain, Italy, France and Morocco have sent water-bombing aircraft. Data from the European Forest Fire Information Service showed that large-scale blazes had burned an area of more than 105,

Portuguese police have arrested 14 suspected arsonists this week, who may have set some of the dozens of deadly wildfires raging across the country, contributing to the fire risks stemming from climate change and rural depopulation.

Thousands of firefighters continued their efforts to extinguish over 100 wildfires in northern Portugal on Wednesday.