Lisbon — A huge forest fire raging since Saturday in central Portugal has killed at least 61 people in what is possibly the country’s deadliest forest blaze, says the government. "The dimension of this fire was such that we don’t have memory of such a human tragedy," Prime Minister Antonio Costa said as he arrived in Pedrogao Grande, a mountainous area about 200km northeast of Lisbon. He said it was vital to focus on the prevention of new fires amid a continuing heatwave, strong winds and lack of rain. He also warned that the death toll could increase. The government has declared three days of mourning and sent two army battalions to help the emergency services. The EU said it would provide firefighting aircraft. France has offered three planes and Spain has sent two, authorities said. Speaking in the Vatican, Pope Francis, who visited Portugal in May, mentioned the victims in his weekly address: "I am close to the dear people of Portugal, hit by a devastating fire which is raging i...
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