Fatal forest fire in Portugal

A massive forest fire occurred in the Pedrógão Grande region of central Portugal in mid-June, killing at least 64 people and injuring more than 250 others. Many of those killed were in their cars and in the process of evacuating the area when the fire overtook them. 

The fire was brought under control on June 21 after burning more than 34,000 acres. A smaller fire in the neighboring Góis district was extinguished on June 22.

The cause of the fire is believed to have been a combination of dry conditions and lightning strikes.