MADRID (AP) - Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain a wildfire in northeastern Spain that has spread over 5,500 hectares (13,590 acres) and forced the evacuation of 53 residents.

A Spanish military unit with 120 specialists has joined local firefighters, who had worked overnight to control the blaze that is raging in difficult hilly terrain near the Ebro River.

Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister, said Thursday 20,000 hectares are under threat in what is the worst fire in the Catalonia region in two decades.

Buch says authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored manure.

Firefighters say that high temperatures and a drop in humidity will likely fan the flames.

The burned landscape after a wildfire in Torre de l'Espanyol, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Catalonia region of Spain has seen its biggest forest fire this year, with more than 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) believed to have been burned and hundreds of people evacuated.(AP Photo/Jordi Borras)

A burned farm tractor lays destroyed after a wildfire swept through Torre de l'Espanyol, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Catalonia region of Spain has seen its biggest forest fire this year, with more than 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) believed to have been burned and hundreds of people evacuated. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras)

Smoke rises from the burned landscape after a wildfire in Torre de l'Espanyol, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Catalonia region of Spain has seen its biggest forest fire this year, with more than 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) believed to have been burned and hundreds of people evacuated. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras)

Local villagers overlooked a burned landscape after a wildfire in Torre de l'Espanyol, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Catalonia region of Spain has seen its biggest forest fire this year, with more than 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) believed to have been burned and hundreds of people evacuated.(AP Photo/Jordi Borras) </s> A forest fire in Spain raged out of control on Thursday amid a Europe-wide heatwave, devouring land despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters who worked through the night, local authorities said.

The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon in Torre del Espanol in the northeastern region of Catalonia and by Thursday it had destroyed more than 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres), the region's interior minister Miquel Buch said.

"The difficulties are such that we can't talk about a fire that is under control or in the extinction phase, but rather that we're at a moment when the blaze is getting bigger," he told Catalan radio.

The wildfires in Catalonia are among the worst it has seen in 20 years, the regional government said, adding that around 30 people had been evacuated from farmhouses in the affected area.

In a statement, the regional government warned the fire could eventually devour 20,000 hectares in what presented an "extreme risk." </s> TORRE DEL ESPANOL, Spain: Hundreds of firefighters on Thursday battled an out-of-control wildfire in Spain that authorities believe started after a heap of manure self-ignited amid a European heatwave.

The blaze, which broke out Wednesday afternoon in Torre del Espanol in the northeastern region of Catalonia, has so far affected more than 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres), the regional government said, an area about 19 times the size of Central Park.

The flames raging across a hilly area roughly 80 kilometres (50 miles) inland from the Mediterranean coastal town of Tarragona could eventually devour 20,000 hectares in what was presented as an "extreme risk", a statement said.

Some 350 firefighters backed by around 230 soldiers and 15 aerial tanker aircraft were at the scene of the blaze, the worst in Catalonia in 20 years in terms of the amount of land charred. </s> The burned landscape after a wildfire in Torre de l'Espanyol, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. The Catalonia region of Spain has seen its biggest forest fire this year, with more than 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) believed to have been burned and hundreds of people evacuated.(AP Photo/Jordi Borras) (Source: Jordi Borras) </s> MADRID (AP) - A major wildfire in northeastern Spain is raging out of control for a third straight day.

Several hundred firefighters are at the blaze in the Catalonia region Friday as Spain is forecast to endure the peak of a recent heat wave, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Officials say cooler overnight temperatures allowed crews to slow the fire's advance, but authorities say it is the region's worst fire in two decades and 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) are at risk.

Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister, is asking people to exercise extreme caution in forested areas.

He says fire services are at full stretch "and we can't allow another wildfire to break out."

Some 500 people were evacuated to a school gym. Others were told to stay indoors.

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Palma d'Ebre, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored manure. Firefighters say that high temperatures and a drop in humidity will likely fan the flames. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras)

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Palma d'Ebre, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored manure. Firefighters say that high temperatures and a drop in humidity will likely fan the flames. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras)

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Palma d'Ebre, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored manure. Firefighters say that high temperatures and a drop in humidity will likely fan the flames. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras) </s> Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain a wildfire that continues to spread over heavily forested hills in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia. Firefighters said Thursday that the blaze was not under control.

"We're at a moment when the blaze is getting bigger," Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister, told local media.

At least 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres) have burned so far, and around 50 people have been evacuated. The regional government estimated that the fire could expand to 20,000 hectares.

Buch said what is estimated to be the worst wildfire to hit the region in 20 years could have been sparked by improperly stored chicken manure that combusted in extreme temperatures at a farm in the village of Torre de l'Espanyol.

Firefighters said the steep terrain, winds, and temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) were making the blaze difficult to control.

"It's complicated. We won't get it stabilized today," regional firefighting chief Manuel Pardo told Spanish public television. There have been no reports of any casualties from the fire.

On Thursday, France's weather service, Meteo France, said it recorded the country's highest-ever temperature for the month of June, at 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit) in Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas, a village in the Rhone Valley in the country's southeast.

Meteo France said temperatures in the region could reach between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius tomorrow. Parts of Spain and Italy are also expected to top 40 degrees.

France's weather service said Thursday four administrative regions in the country's south had been placed on red alert, schools would be closed and outdoor sports and festivals would be postponed.

The red alert is the first issued by French authorities for a dangerous heat wave, affecting the cities of Marseille, Nimes, Montpellier and Avignon.

Read more: Climate change sets the world on fire

"This heat wave is unprecedented in France. It is exceptional in its intensity," French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said.

French authorities extended restrictions on vehicles, already imposed in Paris and Lyon, to Marseille and Strasbourg in an effort to curb air pollution.

The French electrical grid operator, RTE, said that electricity demand on Thursday was nearing the summer record seen two years ago, as people keep air conditioners running at full blast.

Read more: Germany sweats through hottest June day ever

Meteorologists blame a blast of hot air from northern Africa for scorching temperatures so early in the European summer.

Germany on Thursday enjoyed a reprieve from the extreme heat after record-breaking temperatures were recorded in parts of the country earlier in the week. However, the mercury is expected to climb in central Europe over the weekend.

Every evening, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here. </s> (CNN) Firefighters in Spain are battling a major wildfire that probably started after a heap of manure self-ignited amid the intense European heat wave.

Around 10,000 acres of forest and other vegetation were affected by the blaze near Tarragona in the country's north-east, according to the Catalan regional government.

Trees burn during the forest fire west of Tarragona on June 27.

Authorities said the fire likely began when an "improperly managed" pile of manure self-combusted in the heat , causing sparks.

Spontaneous ignitions can occur when flammable materials, such as piles of hay, compost or manure heat up to a temperature high enough to cause combustion, according to the US National Park Service.

Residents gather to observe a forest fire raging near Maials in the northeastern region of Catalonia on June 27, 2019.

As of early afternoon, the fire was still not under control and 53 people have been evacuated from the area.

Read More </s> Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain a wildfire that continues to spread over heavily forested hills in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia. Firefighters said Thursday that the blaze was not under control.

"We're at a moment when the blaze is getting bigger," Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister, told local media.

At least 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres) have burned so far, and around 50 people have been evacuated. The regional government estimated that the fire could expand to 20,000 hectares.

Buch said what is estimated to be the worst wildfire to hit the region in 20 years could have been sparked by improperly stored chicken manure that combusted in extreme temperatures at a farm in the village of Torre de l'Espanyol.

Firefighters said the steep terrain, winds, and temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) were making the blaze difficult to control.

"It's complicated. We won't get it stabilized today," regional firefighting chief Manuel Pardo told Spanish public television. There have been no reports of any casualties from the fire.

On Thursday, France's weather service, Meteo France, said it recorded the country's highest-ever temperature for the month of June, at 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit) in Grospierres, a village in the country's southeast.

The highest temperature ever recorded in France was 44.1 degrees Celsius (111.3 Fahrenheit), which was measured in southern France during a 2003 heat wave that killed thousands of people.

Meteo France said temperatures in parts of southern France could climb to between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius on Friday, which could break the high temperature record. Parts of Spain and Italy are also expected to top 40 degrees.

France's weather service said Thursday four administrative regions in the country's south had been placed on

red alert, with outdoor sports events and festivals to be postponed. Parents would be allowed to keep their children home from school.

The red alert is the first issued by French authorities for a dangerous heat wave, affecting the cities of Marseille, Nimes, Montpellier and Avignon.

Read more: Climate change sets the world on fire

"This heat wave is unprecedented in France. It is exceptional in its intensity," French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said.

French authorities extended restrictions on vehicles, already imposed in Paris and Lyon, to Marseille and Strasbourg in an effort to curb air pollution.

The French electrical grid operator, RTE, said that electricity demand on Thursday was nearing the summer record seen two years ago, as people keep air conditioners running at full blast.

Read more: Germany sweats through hottest June day ever

Meteorologists blame a blast of hot air from northern Africa for scorching temperatures so early in the European summer.

Germany on Thursday enjoyed a reprieve from the extreme heat after record-breaking temperatures were recorded in parts of the country earlier in the week. However, the mercury is expected to climb in central Europe over the weekend.

Every evening, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here. </s> Huge wildfire in Spain as heatwave roasts Europe - but 'worst is still to come'

Huge wildfire in Spain as heatwave roasts Europe - but 'worst is still to come'

Hundreds of firefighters have struggled to contain a major wildfire in northeastern Spain on a day that has seen temperatures continue to soar across most of Europe.

France followed Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic in breaking its temperature record for June after an "enormous reservoir" of hot air from the Sahara engulfed the continent, which has seen a blaze spanning 5,500 hectares break out on hilly terrain near the Ebro River about 75 miles (121km) west of Barcelona.

The Spanish military has sent a unit of 120 specialists to help local firefighters battle the flames, which have sent thick plumes of smoke high into the air above the Catalonia region.

Miquel Buch, the local interior minister, said 20,000 hectares were under threat in what was the worst fire in the area in two decades, with a deposit of improperly stored chicken manure at a farm in Torre de l'Espanyol believed to have combusted due to the high temperatures and started the fire.

Spanish television showed horses and sheep left helpless as the fire engulfed the farm they were being kept on, and five roads have been closed to traffic.

The apocalyptic scenes came amid temperatures of close to 44C (111.2F), and the mercury also hit 41.8C (107.2F) in a southern region of France called Montclus.

It surpassed the previous national June record of 41.FC (106F), set on 21 June 2003.

French authorities have imposed restrictions on vehicles in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg in a bid to curb air pollution during the heatwave, and some schools have closed and postponed summer exams.

Northern parts of the country have been placed on drought alert, with water supplies to businesses, farmers and residents restricted, and there is also a ban on the transportation of animals over fears for their safety.

In the south, four regions have been placed on red alert - the highest crisis level - with 76 on orange.

VigiMeteoFrance tweeted that 42.3C (108.1F) had been recorded in Grospierres - the highest June temperature on record for France. The highest the country has ever recorded is 44.1C (111.4F), which could be beaten tomorrow.

Health minister Agnes Buzyn said the heatwave was "unprecedented" and "exceptional in its intensity".

Calls to the emergency services are also up, with Jerome Saloman, head of national public health, reporting that four drownings had been recorded since the start of the week - directly linked to the heatwave as people try to cool off.

He added: "Calls to the emergency services are on the rise nationwide. We are seeing the beginning of a clear impact of the heatwave.

"For us the worst is still to come."

Grid operator RTE said electricity demand on Thursday was close to a summer record seen two years ago, as people turned on fans and coolers to full blast for relief from the scorching heat.

Temperatures have also soared close to 40C (104F) in other European countries, although there has been some relief for northern Germany, where the heat slipped to 21C (69.8F) in Berlin on Thursday - down from 37C (98.6F).

According to the Met Office, there have been temperatures of 38C (100.4F) in Milan, Italy, 35C (95F) in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, 34C (93.2F) in the Austrian capital of Vienna, and 33C (91.4F) in Bern, Switzerland.

That makes them all hotter than Athens in Greece, which so often sets the standards for European heatwaves, as well as traditionally warm cities elsewhere in the world like Tokyo in Japan and Los Angeles in the US.

Sky's Europe correspondent Mark Stone has been in Paris and said the extreme conditions had some worried.

He said: "We're used to temperature records being broken year on year almost, but it usually happens in August.

"The problem and the concern that analysts have about this temperature is that we've got a heatwave in June, which is very, very early, and because it's so early the humidity is much higher."

On Wednesday, a number of countries across the continent broke their June records.

German weather agency Deutscher Wetterdienst reported a preliminary reading of 38.6C (101.5F) in Coschen, near the border with Poland - a tenth of a degree celsius higher than the previous national record for June in 1947 in southwestern Germany.

Radzyn in Poland also recorded a new national high of 38.2C (100.76F), while Doksany in the Czech Republic experienced 38.9C (102.02F).

The heatwave is expected to continue into Friday and the weekend, when forecasters have said it will make its presence felt in earnest in the UK.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have already seen their highest temperatures of the year so far, but central and eastern England looks set to be even hotter on Saturday, with 34C (93.2F) on the cards for some.

For those at Glastonbury, Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson has said the temperature record for the annual music festival could well be broken too.

It currently stands at 31.2C (88.2F), which was seen in 2017.
In Spain, authorities report two deaths connected to the extreme heat. The worst wildfire in 20 years burns more than 5,000 hectares at the south of Province of Tarragona, in Catalonia.