Fighters try to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, in central Portugal on Sunday, July 21, 2019. About 1,800 firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured people, including several firefighters, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo/Sergio Azenha)
The Associated Press
LISBON, Portugal (AP) - More than 1,000 firefighters are battling a major wildfire in central Portugal for a third day that has already injured 31 people.
The country's Civil Protection Agency says 321 vehicles and five water-dumping aircraft are also at the blaze Monday. The flames have raced through thick woodlands in the Castelo Branco district, 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) northeast of Lisbon, the capital.
Cooler night temperatures helped emergency services get the upper hand over the fire, but authorities say they expect heat and winds to build in the afternoon. Forests are tinder-dry after weeks with little rain.
Summer wildfires are a common occurrence in Portugal, where poor forest management and climate change make woodlands vulnerable.
In 2017, at least 106 people were killed by wildfires in an especially difficult year for Portugal.
Members of the emergency services try to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, in central Portugal on Sunday, July 21, 2019. About 1,800 firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured people, including several firefighters, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo/Sergio Azenha)
The Associated Press
Fighters try to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, in central Portugal on Sunday, July 21, 2019. About 1,800 firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured people, including several firefighters, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo/Sergio Azenha)
The Associated Press
Fighters try to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, in central Portugal on Sunday, July 21, 2019. About 1,800 firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured 20 people, including eight firefighters, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo/Sergio Azenha)
The Associated Press
Fighters try to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, in central Portugal on Sunday, July 21, 2019. About 1,800 firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured people, including several firefighters, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo/Sergio Azenha)
The Associated Press
Members of the emergency services try to extinguish a wildfire near Cardigos village, in central Portugal on Sunday, July 21, 2019. About 1,800 firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires in central Portugal that have already injured people, including several firefighters, authorities said Sunday. (AP Photo/Sergio Azenha)
The Associated Press