Spain's worst wave of wildfires on record spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountains on Monday and prompted authorities to close part of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Spain deployed 500 extra soldiers to fight wildfires scorching Galicia as heatwaves push temperatures above 45°C. Fires have burned 158,000 hectares this year, with European planes and crews joining Spain’s containment efforts.

Spain is deploying 500 more soldiers to battle fast-spreading wildfires, as a brutal heatwave and strong winds leave nearly the entire country at extreme risk. Fires have already scorched land equal to the size of London and killed seven people.