Cooler weather helps Portuguese firefighters

Firefighters in Portugal are taking advantage of a slight dip in temperatures to gain control of a series of forest fires.

The flames have destroyed an average of 1,000 hectares of forest every day this month. The change in the weather does not necessarily mean rain, but cloud cover could give respite from the searing 40 degree heat and Atlantic winds driving the fires forwards. The central and northern areas of the country are worst hit. Six firefighters and one local resident have lost their lives in the flames. A 1,500-strong force backed up by 250 fire engines has been battling at least five large fires, all of which are have been tamed for the moment. Portugal is currently suffering one of its worst droughts on record.

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