The Spanish government will declare the areas affected by the deadly wildfires that have ravaged much of its northern Galicia province as disaster zones.View on euronews

The key to preventing forest fires is creating a rural economy based on the use of forests. While this would generate much-needed employment in “la España vaciada” – “hollowed-out Spain”, the name given to the country’s depopulated rural areas – it also costs money. It is therefore essential to invest in forests.

Locals and tourists in Spain have been warned about dangerous wildfires across the country - with popular tourist spots at risk

In neighbouring Portugal, where fires are also blazing, another firefighter was killed on Sunday in a "tragic" traffic accident, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said. Fires have also broken out in Greece, France, Turkey and the Balkans as a heatwave has scorched swathes of southern Europe.

Up to 20 major wildfires are burning in total, the majority in Spain's northwestern region of Galicia, while there are several blazes in neighbouring Portugal.

Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in 20 years, with Spain among the hardest-hit countries. In the past week alone, fires there have claimed three lives and burned more than 115,000 hectares, while neighbouring Portugal also battles widespread blazes.

More than 1,500 sq km (579 sq miles) have been devastated by the flames in Spain and seven people have died. A heatwave has scorched swathes of southern Europe this week, prompting wildfires in Spain, Portugal, Greece, France and the Balkans.

In total, three deaths and 16 injuries have been reported in connection with the firefighting efforts in Castilla y Leon.

Spain is deploying an additional 500 soldiers to combat raging wildfires, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Sunday, as the country grapples with a prolonged period of scorching weather. The new deployment adds to the more than 1,400 troops already battling blazes across parched woodland.