WILDFIRES ARE GETTING WORSE

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Intensifying heat and wildfires continue to devastate big areas of Portugal with no end yet in sight.

An added problem is that “the fight against climate misinformation is being hampered by a phenomenon of paralysis in which people believe that combating climate change is not worth the effort,” according to Alice Fonseca, a climate and policy expert at World Wildlife (WWL) Portugal

Disinformation about climate change is increasingly targeting individuals, institutions and vulnerable social groups in Portugal, says Filipe Pardal, chief operating officer of the Portuguese fact-tracker at “Poligrafo”, a government member of the European Fact-checking Standards Network. There has been a spike of false information across social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook 

Meanwhile, accurate reports are coming in daily of devastating wildfires caused by severe heat and bone-dry conditions forcing evacuations not only in Portugal, but across Spain and France. 

An enormous blaze that erupted this Tuesday in France’s Aude region scorched in less than 24 hours at least 15,000 fechares ( 37,000 acres), an area larger than the size of Paris. 

In Spain, prolonged heatwaves since Sunday reaching43C have brought about multiple wildfires across the country. The Spanish Ministry of Health has reported well over 1,000 deaths in July due to extreme heat.

Portugal has been Europe’s worst affected country over the past decade. This year, wildfires have already burned more than 42,000 hectares ( 104,000 acres) of forest, scrub and agricultural land, eight times more than this period last year. The worst wildfire destruction has been in the last two weeks. At least 800 firefighters, backed by more than 280 water-straying vehicles and aircraft, have been battling massive blazes in the northern regions of Vila Real and Mondim de Basto. They are being assisted by a special team from Latvia.

Many of the Portuguese firefighters are exhausted after dedicating so many long days and nights to their very difficult and dangerous efforts. They 

have called on the government to send reinforcements. Foreign firefighters will be willing to help if not tied up with their own battles. 

A state of emergency has been in effect in the capital, Lisbon, on the west coast.  Elsewhere, more than 100 municipalities have been declared on maximum fire alerts 

As of Saturday evening, 55 rural fires were ablaze in mainland Portugal. 

ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL

Alzheimer Portugal is a nationwide organisation created more than 30 years ago specifically to promote the quality of life for people with dementia, as well as their families and carers.

It is there for you should you need their professional advice.

Alzheimer Portugal actively participates with its European and worldwide partners to gather and disseminate the latest information about dementia.

Website:

https://alzheimerportugal.org

Email:

info@alzheimerportugal.org

Phone Contacts:

Lisbon: +351 21 361 04 60

Faro: 289 803 747

Portimão: 965 276 690

Lagoa: 965 276 690

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MADRUGADA

This unique Algarve organisation provides a home-based, end-of-life palliative nursing care service for people wishing to spend their final days professionally cared for in their own home.

Established in 2009, they are now renowned for the excellence of palliative care, which is provided free of charge.

Based in Praia da Luz in the western Algarve, their specialist clinical teams work extensively to help people, and those important to them, manage the challenges of life-limiting illnesses through counselling, therapeutic and creative activities, complementary therapies, advice, and education.

For more information:

Call: +351 282 761 375

Email: admin@madrugada-portugal.com

The more donations they receive, the more their specialist volunteers are able to care for the community.