Five thousand firefighters are struggling to contain multiple wildfires raging across northern Portugal that are blamed for causing at least six deaths and forcing an unknown number of residents to flee their homes.

By Pedro Nunes PENALVA DO CASTELO, Portugal (Reuters) -At least two people died as wildfires raged in central and northern Portugal on Monday, forcing authorities to evacuate villages, close motorways and ask the European Union to send more water-bombing aircraft.