Dozens evacuated as huge fire tears through Spain amid heatwave
At least 53 people have been evacuated. AAP
Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain a wildfire in northeastern Spain that has spread over 5,500 hectares and forced the evacuation of 53 residents, as a wide-spread heatwave hit Europe.
A Spanish military unit with 120 specialists joined local firefighters who had worked overnight to control the blaze that sent thick plumes of smoke over difficult, hilly terrain near the Ebro River.
Regional Interior Minister Miquel Buch said 20,000 hectares were under threat in what is the worst fire in the Catalonia region in two decades.
The fire has already burnt through more than 5,500 hectares in north-western Spain. AAP
Mr Buch said authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored chicken manure at a farm in the village of Torre de l'Espanyol that high temperatures caused to combust.
Television images showed horses and sheep incinerated on a farm that had stood in the path of the fire.
Authorities said this is the worst fire in the Catalonia region in two decades. AAP
Five roads were closed to traffic in the rural area which is about 120 kilometers west of Barcelona.
Firefighters said that temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius low humidity, and high winds fanned the flames.
A man tries to escape the searing heat in Madrid as temperatures soar. AAP
The fire comes amid the heat wave that is boosting temperatures across Europe.
In neighbouring France, authorities extended restrictions on vehicles, already imposed in Paris and Lyon, to Marseille and Strasbourg in an effort to curb air pollution.
Some schools postponed summer examinations and parts of northern France were put on drought alert, with water supplies to businesses, farmers and ordinary residents restricted. Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume announced a ban on the transportation of animals until the heatwave has ended.
Grid operator RTE said French electricity demand on Thursday was close to a summer record seen two years ago, as people turned on fans and coolers to full blast due to the scorching temperatures.
A couple sunbathe by the Seine river bank, during a heatwave in Paris. EPA/AAP
The Midi Libre newspaper reported that three people had died on beaches in the south of France so far this week because of the heat, though Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said on Thursday it was too early to give an accurate estimate of the death toll.
"Calls to the emergency services are on the rise nationwide. We are seeing the beginning of a clear impact of the heatwave," said Jerome Saloman, head of national public health. "For us, the worst is still to come."
There was at least relief for northern Germany on Thursday as temperatures slid to more normal levels for June. In Berlin it was 21C, down from around 37C on Wednesday.
Countries from Switzerland to Poland and the Czech Republic were also battling high temperatures.
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