Two major wildfires are still burning in eastern Spain but seven have been brought under control. High winds and temperatures are expected to ease, officials said today.
The active fires are consuming forests around the ancient town of Aliaga, in Aragon, 176km north of the Mediterranean port of Valencia.
The hilltop resort town of Mojacar woke up today surrounded by the charred remains of what had been picturesque pine forests and almond groves. Regional fires services are on standby in case of sudden flare-ups.
The village of Soneja just north of Valencia had a lucky escape when fire consumed its cemetery but did not progress further.
Temperatures in the east peaked at 44C.
Six people have been killed by forest fires in Spain during the week and at least 38,155 acres of forest and farmland have been affected by flames, regional ministry representatives said.
Thousands of people, both firefighters and volunteers, and more than 30 aircraft were deployed to combat the flames.
Areas around the southern cities of Cordoba and Seville were to remain above 40C and authorities maintained an alert in the Canary Island of Gran Canaria where thermometers have reached 37C.
Elsewhere in Europe, Italian police said they were investigating brush fires that burned on the outskirts of Palermo, Sicily, and in the tourist town of Monreale to see if arson was involved.
On Italy’s other major island, Sardinia, authorities said it appeared fires were under control but expressed fear that shifting winds could bring back the blazes of recent days. A shepherd was killed earlier in the week during the fires.
AP