MADRID: Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds wreaked destruction across southern Europe on Wednesday (Aug 13), burning homes and forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.

Wildfires have spread dangerously close to capital cities including Madrid, Athens and Podgorica in the past week, as data showed the number of blazes in Europe had jumped by nearly 50 per cent compared with last year.

The fire was brought under control overnight, after a blaze in the Tres Cantos area killed one person and prompted evacuations, the authorities said.View on euronews

Firefighters in Spain have been battling wildfires in the north-western province of Leon. Three people have died in Spain due to the blazes this summer. The country is among several European countries experiencing scorching temperatures this week that fuel wildfires and which scientists say human-induced climate change is intensifying.