Heatwaves in France and across western Europe in May and June have parched vast areas of land, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfires

Hundreds of firefighters battled forest infernos in France, Spain and Portugal today, where fires have devastated more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of land.

Firefighters have been battling forest infernos in heatwave-scarred Europe, as temperatures rise again.