The forest fires began on July 1,2010 and officially stopped on July 31, 2010 due to the Italian planes. The planes carried 400 gallons of water and spilled the water on the fires for nearly 3 weeks. During the fires no one was hurt but many tree and the only thing that was affected was the air. Portugal thanked Italy and the flight crews for there help because they knew without there help the fires may have spread and affected other things besides the air and trees.