Some countries in Europe have been battling wildfires for weeks as record temperatures and a lack of rain set the stage for massive blazes across the continent, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of people.
According to The National News, Spain is already bracing for a third wave of rising temperatures, with forecasters predicting temperatures of 38°C to 44°C this week.
Warming is expected to affect a large part of the country and last until Thursday. Only the western coast of Cantabria and the Mediterranean await slightly cooler conditions.
The fire, which broke out about 10 km from Cádiz, a city on the Atlantic coast popular with tourists, was extinguished around midnight on Sunday, August 6.
Catalonia and Andalusia, the two most drought-prone regions in Spain, are at the highest risk of fires.
A forest fire in Portugal
Neighboring Portugal is experiencing the same extreme weather conditions, with more than 1,000 firefighters battling the blaze in the center of the country.
The fire, which started on Friday, has already destroyed 7,000 hectares of land and injured 11 people.
Authorities have warned that the risk of bushfires across the country remains extremely high, with temperatures exceeding 40C.
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Cyprus calls for help
More than 3,600 km in Cyprus, a severe forest fire is raging north of Limassol. The country asked for international help.
Greece sent two Canadair firefighting planes and 20 tons of fire extinguishers on Monday.
Jordan also responded to Cyprus' call for help and sent three firefighting helicopters.
The fire, which burned 10 square kilometers of land, has been contained, but authorities warn that strong winds could fan the flames.
Negotiations with Israel for additional air support continue, and many residents have returned to their evacuated homes.
A new fire breaks out in southern Spain
Meanwhile, firefighters in Spain and France contained a forest fire near their border. The fire, which started on Friday, August 4, has destroyed about 573 hectares of land around Portbue.
However, authorities in the southern region of Andalusia said 150 firefighters were battling another blaze on Saturday, August 5. Seventeen planes and helicopters were sent to fight the fire, and about 70 people were evacuated.
Forecasters warned that the winds could rise again. Residents are strongly advised to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, last year forest fires destroyed more than 300,000 hectares in Spain, setting a European record. According to the European Forest Fire Information System, 70,000 hectares were burned this year.
