Just read the item on the Sky News website about the fires sweeping through central Portugal with tragic loss of life - 'worst tragedy to hit Portugal for decades'. As someone who has enjoyed the Portugese hospitality and friendship on several occasions I sincerely hope that the fires can be quickly brought under control without further loss of life.

Have managed to miss the news for days now and am really shocked to hear about these fires on this forum - I just hoped they weren't started deliberately as so many of them seem to be nowadays. I just want to voice our sympathies and well wishes to the country that we love so much that they soon get them under control and extinguished.

Monday. Have just heard on Radio 4 that there have been more fires, in Southern Portugal this time. Can anybody clarify/confirm this? No more details were given on this early news. Many thanks.