Forest fires ravage Northern Portugal

Portugese authorities have declared a 48 hour state of emergency in Porto, as hundreds of forest fires swept through the country's Northern region.

Over 4000 firefighters, 120 vehicles and four aircraft are battling hundreds of blazes across the north of the country, fanned by strong winds and high temperatures over the weekend. 16 lives have been claimed by the fires, according to media reports.

This is the first major outbreak of forest fires so far this year. The risk level to the region is forecast to be “very high” to “maximum” until Wednesday.