LISBON, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Portugal is mobilizing the "largest firefighting force ever" to tackle wildfires that erupted Sunday and are continuing to ravage central and northern Portugal, said Portugal's Minister of Internal Administration Margarida Blasco on Thursday.

"In these most critical days, we had the largest firefighting device ever mobilized in our country," Blasco told a press conference, referring to the massive deployment of personnel and resources.

According to data from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, 37,772 operatives, 10,639 ground vehicles, and 827 air missions have been utilized to battle the fires.

The fires have claimed seven lives, left 161 people injured, and destroyed dozens of homes.

As of Wednesday, preliminary reports showed that some 94,146 hectares of land had been scorched. However, data from the European Copernicus system estimated that more than 121,000 hectares have been burned nationwide, with over 100,000 hectares affected in the north and central regions alone, accounting for 83 percent of the total affected area.

In light of the devastation, the Portuguese government has declared a state of emergency in all municipalities impacted by the fires, announcing that Friday will be a day of national mourning to honor the victims. Enditem

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