Spain and France have been at the epicentre of Europe’s wildfire season, which started early this year and accelerated in recent weeks.

Officials say the blaze, which has forced about 1,200 people to evacuate and has burned at least 30,000 hectares of land, is one of the most complex to affect the country in years.

Civil Guard officers, firefighters and the Military Emergency Unit battle fierce wildfires near Madrid, with more than 10,000 people evacuated amid extreme heat.