The government's public relations office reported that during a conference-call meeting the government decided to approve the use of Croatian army forces to offer humanitarian aid. Approval is issued for Croatian armed forces to cross the border to offer assistance in putting out a wildfire in Portugal, along with the use of two Canadair planes until September 4, the decision says.

The government made its decision after consulting and obtaining President Ivo Josipovic's approval.

Several large wildfires have been burning in Portugal for days and five people have been reported to have been killed in the fires. Over 1,400 fire-fighters are tackling the blazes with the assistance of their colleagues from Spain.