Three Portuguese firefighters tragically lost their lives in one of the numerous forest fires currently devastating the nation, raising the total fatalities from the wildfires to seven since they began over the weekend, officials confirmed.

Portugal is battling over 50 ongoing wildfires across its mainland, with the mobilization of around 5,300 firefighters. The government has also sought assistance from the European Union to reinforce its firefighting efforts.

Authorities have imposed closures on several highways, including a significant section of the primary route that connects Lisbon and Porto, while also suspending rail services on two northern lines.

The fires, which have been raging since early this past weekend but intensified sharply on Monday, have injured at least 40 individuals, including 33 firefighters, based on the most recent updates from emergency services.

Andre Fernandes, commander of the ANEPC civil protection department, reported that the three deceased firefighters were from the Vila Nova de Oliveirinha brigade and were responding to a fire in Nelas, a town located roughly 300 kilometers (190 miles) northeast of the capital, Lisbon.

Earlier, his deputy, Mario Silvestre, commented that the situation had become "calmer yet remains highly concerning and complicated... many villages and communities are still under threat, and their dispersion has complicated the response.”

Silvestre addressed reporters from the crisis command center in Oliveira de Azemeis, found in the northern district of Aveiro, where a group of four particularly destructive blazes had thus far caused the most severe destruction—dozens of homes already consumed by fire, and four lives lost.

Later on Monday, Fernandes warned that the fires in Aveiro, which had already scorched over 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of countryside, could potentially spread to cover an additional 20,000 hectares (49,420 acres).

Both Portugal and its neighbor Spain have experienced fewer wildfires this year due to a wetter-than-usual start to the year. However, both nations remain susceptible to the increasingly hot and dry conditions, with global warming cited by scientists as a major factor.

Temperatures over the weekend surged above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) across the country, creating the perfect conditions for ignition, and strong winds contributed to the spread of flames.

Jorge Ponte, from the country's meteorological agency IPMA, speaking to Reuters, remarked that Monday had been "one of the most dangerous days for fire risk in Portugal," combining high temperatures even near coastal areas, wind gusts of up to 70km/h (43mph), and extremely low humidity levels—all driven by a high-pressure system.

These elements, Ponte warned, make for "a hazardous mix of conditions." However, the outlook could improve by Wednesday afternoon, with the possibility of rain showers by Thursday, although fire risks could still persist.

In response to the escalating crisis, the government on Monday called for assistance through the European Commission’s civil protection program. In response, Spain, Italy, and Greece committed to sending two water-dropping planes each to aid in quelling the fires.