Winds complicate wildfire battle in Spain

Madrid: High winds on Wednesday hampered efforts to contain wildfires in Spain that have already scorched a record stretch of land despite lower tempe...

Madrid: High winds on Wednesday hampered efforts to contain wildfires in Spain that have already scorched a record stretch of land despite lower temperatures, authorities said.

Firefighters, backed by troops and water-dropping aircraft, were battling 21 blazes in the west of the country classified as "operational level two", meaning they pose a direct threat to nearby communities, said Virginia Barcones, director general of emergency services.

"Temperatures have dropped, but strong gusts of wind continue to hinder firefighting efforts, and the lack of rain is not helping, though we hope that changes in the coming days," she told a news conference.

Forecasters said winds were expected to ease later in the day, with higher humidity levels likely to help efforts. Rain was forecast in some fire-hit regions Thursday.

Spain endured a 16-day heat wave that ended Monday, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in many regions. The heat fuelled wildfires that have killed four people. Dozens of villages have been evacuated.