The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) detected and captured images of numerous fires occurring in the western region of Portugal on the 6th of August.
Strong winds spread the flames on the west coast and hundreds of fires were then noticed on the 11th of August. Three people died in the city of Funchal in Madeira Island and thousands have been displaced (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/wild-fires-in-france-and-portugal-europe-travel-holiday-advice/).
The government of Portugal believes most of the fires have been set by arsonists. Several suspects have been detained by the authorities.
The South of France has been affecting by raging fires as well. On the 10th of August, 3,300 hectares of land have been burned and 25 homes have been affected in the area of Marseille. In comparison Portugal, the fires in South of France seem to have a natural cause as fires regularly occur in summer.
