(22 Jul 2019) Villagers in the central region of Portugal continue to face flames and smoke as the first major wildfire of the season continues to rage.  
Surrounded by deep forests, in Chaveira the afternoon was hot and windy with aircraft flying over to try to extinguish several fire fronts surrounding the village.
No houses was lost due to the relentless work of locals and firefighters.
More than 1,000 firefighters and 14 water-dropping aircraft battled the different fire fronts on Monday amid scorching temperatures.
In Portugal forest blazes wreak destruction every summer.
As temperatures reached almost 40 C (104 F) in the afternoon and a wind blew up, the blaze that had been largely contained overnight rekindled in some areas.
Huge pillars of black smoke appeared on the horizon for a third straight day.
The government said it had asked for help from neighbouring Spain, which was sending two water-dumping airplanes.
They were due to arrive later on Monday.
Forests in the region are tinder-dry after weeks with little rain.
The Portuguese Civil Protection Agency said the fire has injured 32 people, one seriously, as it raced through thick woodlands.
Police said they were investigating what caused the fire amid suspicions it may have been started deliberately.
High temperatures were forecast for most of the week in Portugal amid a spell of blistering weather that is due to hit northern Europe later this week.
The country's deadliest fire season came in 2017, when at least 106 people were killed.

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