Huge forest fires in Portugal have left at least 29 people injured, with more than 3,000 firefighters tackling the blazes.
The fires come amid extreme temperatures in southern Europe, with the mercury expected to hit 43C in Portugal during the current heatwave.
Last month 96% of the Iberian country was classed as enduring either a “severe” or “extreme" drought.
The Portuguese government has deployed 60 aircraft to help battle the wildfires, with authorities saying that 12 firefighters and 17 civilians have so far required medical treatment for minor injuries, reports the Daily Mail.
On Sunday the European Union activated its firefighting air fleet assistance programme, allowing member countries to share resources to help Portugal, with neighbouring Spain swiftly sending two firefighting planes.
The EU says climate change is leading to one of the toughest years for natural disasters among member states.
It is just five years since widespread wildfires in Portugal killed more than 100 people.
Meanwhile in Iberian neighbours Spain, a fire near the south-western village of El Ronquillo led to 30 people being evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
More than 115 firefighters, as well as helicopters and planes, were deployed to the scene.
Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa postponed a planned trip to Mozambique this week, citing in the Daily Mail “ weather forecasts that indicate a very serious worsening of the risk of rural fires”, while Portugal's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also cancelled a trip to New York.
The Portuguese government has declared a state of heightened alert that will run until Friday.
“This means we can automatically and preventively activate all emergency and civil protection plans at all territorial levels,” said Interior Administration Minister Jose Luis Carneiro.
Costa reminded citizens not to do anything that could risk starting a wildfire, such as lighting fires outdoors or using heavy farm machinery that can cause sparks.
“Preventing fires is the best help we can give our firefighters,” the prime minister wrote.
