Video: Forest fires destroy homes in Portugal Fires raged in Santa Cruz on Madeira Island and Sao Bras de Alportel in the Southern' Algarve region of Portugal. Around Algarve, more than 1,000 firefighters and 200 fire trucks were trying to contain fires in Portugal's biggest cork producing region. The country has endured a severe drought in recent months, and the arrival of sweltering summer temperatures means experts are fearful of more forest fires to come.