19 people lost their life, most of them in their car when they were surrounded by fire coming from the forest around the IC8 main road near Pedrogrão Grande  in the centre of Portugal.

The extreme heat today with some high wind have caused several fires in the country.

It is feared that the summer will be very hot and dry, so please avoid any risk of causing fire while you enjoy your holiday here and be safe.

Fires are believed to have been triggered by "dry storms" and exceptional weather conditions. The region is covered with pine trees and eucalyptus forest which fueled the engulfing fires.

But why are people still so stupid? I watched a guy lighting a bbq on/in a field of about 18" dry grass, it is so obvious what the potential, if not likely, consequence is, namely frigging disaster, but they still do it!

Mental.

Like a volcano, it throws out burning embers from a massive cloud, called a pyrocumulonimbus, starting more fires often some distance away.

People thought they could drive through or past it. They weren't quick enough.

And yes, why there is no absolute ban of lighting outdoor fies in the present condititions defies undertstanding. We cannot stop lightning strikes, but can stop idiots from setting fire to the countryside.