Some eight forest fires affected five districts of Portugal and threatened other regions in Spain on Wednesday, while about 380 firemen equipped with vehicles and aircraft tried to bring the fires under control.

The affected districts were Vila Real, Guarda, Viseu and Oporto, all in the north of Portugal, as well as the capital Lisbon.

About 100 people were evacuated from their houses in Escargio of Guarda district.

Meanwhile, fires were also threatening houses in Bouza and natural park Arribes del Duero, both in Salamanca province in Spain.

In Bouza of Spain, another 100 people were evacuated and the traffic of the highway between Bouza and Escargio was suspended due to the fire.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2009)