HUNDREDS of tourists have been forced to flee resorts after wildfires ripped through Portugal while locals prepare for another heatwave.
More than 500 firefighters and 205 were deployed to try and douse the raging inferno in the south-western town of Odemira.
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Teams were aided by 16-water-bombing aircraft which attempted to extinguish the ferocious flames from above.
Nine firefighters have been injured as the blaze scorched acres of countryside just south of Lisbon.
Officials declared a state of emergency in the region while around 1,400 people were evacuated as the wind helped carry the fire.
Over a hundred holidaymakers were rushed out of hotels to safety as the flames continued to grow closer.
It is feared the blaze could spread to nearby areas while water supplies in the region dwindle.
It is thought arsonists may be to blame.
A second wildfire erupted close to the city of Castelo Branco has also incinerated around 7,000 hectares of land.
Experts predict another Iberian heatwave will last until Thursday, increasing the risk of fires.
“This heatwave is going to be generally more intense, more widespread and a little longer-lasting than the two we had in July,” said Ruben del Campo of the Spanish state weather agency.
Forecasters added the risk of wildfires remained extremely high following weeks of searing summer heat.
Temperatures are still often topping 40C.
It comes weeks after alerts for wildfires were issued in Greece as holiday hotspots there dealing with catastrophic blazes.
Thomas Godfrey
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