Portuguese authorities said that two fires have restarted in the Loulé area in the Algarve after the massive fire that left a big part of the municipality of Tavira in ashes last week.

Lusa reports that a fire restarted this afternoon near the village of Montes Novos, while another happened near the village of Tafe in Tavira but the fires are not as severe as last week’s, news agency Lusa reports.

Lusa adds that “53 firemen, supported by 18 vehicles and eight plane” are on the scene.

Last week’s fires only came under control on Saturday evening.

(Photograph: Fireman fights at fire in Caniço, Santa Cruz near of Funchal during a forest fire that hit the surroundings of the capital of Madeira Island, other of the most affected areas, on 21 July 2012. Homem de Gouveia/Lusa)