Wildfires continue to rage across popular holiday destinations, including Spain, Greece, and Portugal, prompting the UK’s Foreign Office to update its travel advice.
Spain battled 14 major fires driven by high winds on Friday, said Virginia Barcones, the emergency services chief, as temperatures were forecast to rise over the weekend.
Authorities warned of "unfavourable conditions" to tackle flames that have already killed seven people and burned an area the size of London.
It comes as firefighters have been battling to put out blazes across southern Europe in one of the worst summers for wildfires in 20 years.
Friday marked the Feast of Assumption in Portugal, Italy and Spain— a major Catholic holiday in which people flock to the beach and host family gatherings. Fires have also devastated areas in France, Bulgaria, Albania and Montenegro, in the last week.
The UK's Foreign Office updated its advice saying there is a 'high risk' of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.
They said: "Wildfires happen often in Spain, including on the islands, during the summer months.
"Be aware of your environment when visiting or driving through woodland areas. For information on wildfire risk visit the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET)."
A nearly two-week heatwave and southerly winds were worsening the situation in Spain, Ms Barcones said, as prime minister Pedro Sanchez, said the country was at “extreme risk” of new wildfires, especially in the north and west.
Spain’s Civil Guard said it had arrested two men on suspicion of starting fires in Castille and León, taking the number of arson arrests to 10 since June.
Meanwhile, in Portugal, nearly 4,000 firefighters have been deployed on several fronts, while the government has extended its state of alert to Sunday.
The wildfires in Portugal claimed the life of Carlos Dâmaso, a former mayor of the town of Vila Franca do Deão.
Officials said he died while trying to fight the blaze. He was reported missing and his body was found on Friday.
In Galicia, several fires merged together to form a large blaze, which has forced the closure of highways and rail services to the region.
Avincis, Europe’s largest operator of emergency aerial services, reported a 50% increase from last year in flight hours devoted to firefighting operations in Spain and Portugal so far this season, Reuters said.
Forecasters predict the heatwave will continue to Monday, with temperatures of up to 44C in some areas, as well as moderate winds.
Wildfires are common across Europe in the summer, but their severity can often be exacerbated by heatwave conditions.
In Greece, a wildfire burned out of control on the island of Chios, prompting the evacuation of villagers.
Two planes and two helicopters dropping water were operating in the north of the Aegean island, a popular tourist destination.
