Portugal Declares State of Emergency in Face of Forest Fires

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 05, 2003

Portugal Declares State of Emergency in Face of Forest Fires

The Portuguese government declared a state of emergency on Monday in the face of forest fires, which have left 9 dead and destroyed dozens of houses in the country.

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The Portuguese government declared a state of emergency on Monday in the face of forest fires, which have left 9 dead and destroyed dozens of houses in the country.

The government will set aside 50 million euros (56.5 million USdollars) for the control of the fires, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Durao Barroso said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said, the government will set up a coordination body headed by Internal Administration Minister Antonio Jorge de Figueiredo Lopes and made up of the ministers of finance, economy, agriculture, social security and cities.

The body will follow the situation and assess the damage causedby the fires, as well as take necessary measures, he said.

The Agriculture Ministry will offer 40 million euros (45.2 million dollars) in compensation to farmers for the loss of their crops due to the fires.

The government will also provide special loans to the affected areas for reconstruction and restoration of agricultural production, Durao Barraso said.

According to the authorities, forest fires have affected 15 of the country's 18 districts. Worst-hit regions include Portalegre, Castelo Branco, Guarda and Santarem.

About 3,000 firemen have been deployed in the fire zone, together with 2,000 troops, 30 airplanes and 700 vehicles.

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