In both Spain and Portugal it was the Feast of the Assumption, a major Catholic holiday usually marked by family gatherings and religious processions. In Portugal, nearly 4,000 firefighters were battling seven major fires. Authorities extended the state of alert until Sunday, amid high temperatures expected to last through the weekend.

At least three have been killed as the European Commission said requests to help tackle wildfires this week reached the same count as for the entirety of 2024.View on euronews