Amid a heatwave that meteorologists predict would push temperatures into the high 40s Celsius, about 20 fires have blazed in Portugal and several in western Spain, endangering villages and interrupting tourists' vacations.

Approximately 800 firemen, aided by six water-bomber aircraft, were battling two wildfires in southwest France on Wednesday, according to Gironde prefect Fabien Buccio. The fires had already forced the evacuation of thousands of campers.

Albertina Francisco battled to hold back tears in the central Portuguese district of Leiria's Santiago de Guarda as a cloud of black smoke billowed over the small settlement.

Some residents saved animals, while others assisted firefighters in fighting the fire.

In Leiria, where temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius and more than 3,000 hectares have burned so far, authorities stopped key motorways and side streets as strong winds made it more difficult for firefighters to battle the blazes.

Alone in Leiria, about 750 firemen were battling two active fires, while 2,751 firefighters throughout the Portuguese mainland were supported by 23 aircraft.

Online videos depicted flames approaching villas, scorching palm trees, and portions of golf courses.

Thousands evacuated

Fires also burned along the Adriatic Sea coast of Croatia, with the most challenging situation being recorded near the town of Sibenik, where water-dropping planes and scores of firefighters battled to suppress flames that briefly devoured some automobiles and a church tower.

Prefect Buccio told BFM TV that more than 2,700 hectares had burnt so far in the Gironde area of France.

The largest of the two fires is located south of Bordeaux near the village of Landiras, where 500 residents have been evacuated, and highways have been stopped.

The other one is located along the Atlantic coast, near the famed "Dune du Pilat" - Europe's tallest dune – in the Arcachon Bay region, were dense, dark smoke clouds were visible rising into the sky.

This fire prompted the precautionary evacuation of 6,000 individuals from five nearby campsites, and they were given refuge at a nearby exposition center.

"We were awakened at 4:30 in the morning by other campers. We had to leave instantly and select our belongings hastily, "One of the evacuated tourists, Christelle, said to BFM TV.

On the eve of Bastille Day, the Gironde prefecture has banned all fireworks in towns and villages adjacent to forests until Monday.

At least nine water-dropping helicopters and five planes were dispatched to combat a forest fire near the Turkish resort town of Datca.

On Tuesday, the World Meteorological Organization warned that a widespread heatwave was spreading and worsening in Europe.

The number of intense wildfires is projected to grow by 30 percent over the next 28 years, according to United Nations research published in February 2022.