This is just horrific

[JanB]

http://www.prociv.pt/en-us/SITUACAOOPER ... fault.aspx

80 per cent of the fires, since the start of the summer, have been lit deliberately

Some by ignorance, chucking cigarettes/bottles out of car windows. Some have been started by tourists, who want a bbq, others by idiots, some the clear the land and also by the volunteers, bombeiros, plane pilots, as that's when they paid - when there is a fire.

We've been so lucky, down here and I really can't wait for rain.

[Ally]

Bl**dy idiots.

Driving over today to Riviera there were signs everywhere warning of the dangers of throwing ciggie butts out of car windows.

As we're in a very foresty part of the world it really makes sense to be careful.

The water/fire helicopters have been out in full force this summer.

[JanB]

Something has to be done over here - there has been huge loss of life, homes, business and livestock. Not counting the devastation of huge areas of land.

It really cannot go on.

And the penalty? A slap on the wrist.

[Workingman]

Madness!!!

I read of somewhere else where the fire fighters get paid per fire, I think it was Corsica, so they start some themselves! They are obviously idiots and criminals, but surely places cannot rely on people putting their lives at risk free gratis. I am talking about fires started by others.

[saundra]

So why can't firemen get paid a wage by the government sounds very stupid to me it must cost the government millions to put these fires out

[Kaz]

Absolute lunacy!

[TheOstrich]

I agree, it's a crazy situation. It's difficult to think highly of a fire service, voluntary or not, which actually endangers lives by starting their own brush fires ....

[meriad]

It's just awful... problem i suspect would be struggling to find the culprit esp if it's caused by a discarded cigarette or bottle. As for the people having BBQ's - sheer stupidity

I really hope you get some decent rain soon

[JanB]

Not for a few months, sadly.

Most of the fires are up north, it's a lot greener than down here, more forests and badly managed forests at that.