My country is burning. The worst fire is in Funchal, Madeira (Cristiano Ronaldo's birthplace). The fire started in a village in the mountains, spread to the mountains and now has reached the center of the capital city itself (over 100,000 people live there). 300 families have lost their house. 3 people were killed. The worst part? It was 3 guys who set this fire. It's fcking arsoning.

The second worst fire in Portugal (and the biggest in mainland Portugal) is 5km away from my grandparents' house. My house. My grandparents village was surrounded by 7 fires the other day (Monday). I tried calling them all day long and they didn't answer for 2 hours because they went out to help the firefighters and later busy at home. The air is black and impossible to breathe.

Just 40km away from my house, there's two other massive fires which have claimed several houses. In the north, close to the border with Spain, another huge fire in Ferreira do Zêzere has claimed a life. There's another big fire in my grandfather's birthplace, Barcelos.

The government doesn't let the Air Force or the Army help, which is making the situation even worse.

The only ones fighting for our lives and homes are our firefighters.

So please, if you are in Portugal, buy cereal bars, water, fruit or sandwiches and bring them over to your nearest fire station to feed the firefighters. They're exhausted and they haven't been eating for hours.

If you live abroad or even if you're not Portuguese you can contribute and make donations to this bank account of Cáritas Portugal: PT50 0035 0697 0059 7240130 28

If you can't help with food or money donations, a simple prayer is welcome (I'm an atheist myself but believe me, these people will thank you for that).

Thank you for taking your time reading this and please help if you can. I have no words to express how sad I feel, all help is welcome.

Thank you.