On Sunday, firefighters battled out-of-control wildfires in Spain and France, including one whose flames touched two famous Atlantic beaches, as Europe wilted under an exceptionally intense temperature.

There have been no fire-related fatalities in France or Spain, but Madrid authorities have attributed hundreds of deaths to high heat.

Six-day-long pine forest fires in the southwestern region of France have forced the evacuation of around 16,200 residents.

In stunning photographs released online, a wall of black smoke could be seen drifting towards the Atlantic Ocean along a stretch of the coast of Bordeaux coveted by surfers worldwide. As low-flying aircraft sucked water from the ocean, flames raced across the trees bordering a wide sandy beach.

Images released by French firemen depicted smoke blanketing the skyline over a forest of scorched trees.

In Spain, firefighters aided by military brigades attempted to extinguish more than 30 forest fires ravaging the country.

The Spanish Ministry of National Defence stated that "the majority" of its firefighting planes had been dispatched to address the fires, many of which were in harsh, steep terrain that was difficult for ground troops to reach.

After a mass of hot air blew from Africa, the Iberian Peninsula was particularly prone to wildfires, some created by lightning, others by accident, and others on purpose.

This year, portions of Europe have experienced fire season earlier than usual due to a dry, hot spring, which the EU attributes to climate change. Some nations are facing protracted droughts, while others are experiencing extreme heatwaves.

During Spain's second summer heatwave, recurring highs over 43C have been recorded in several regions.

From July 10 to 15, 360 deaths were due to high temperatures, according to the Carlos III Institute in Spain, which counts temperature-related mortality daily. This was compared to 27 deaths attributed to temperature in the preceding six days.

On Sunday, nearly all of Spain was warned of high temperatures for a second day, while roughly half of France was warned of a heatwave, with temperatures set to increase on Monday.

After an extreme heatwave and inadequate planning caused nearly 15,000 deaths in 2003, particularly among the elderly, the French government has increased its efforts to protect nursing home residents, the homeless, and other vulnerable groups.

At the same time, the fire at La Teste-de-Buch, in the Bordeaux region had caused 10,000 people to escape while many were vacationing on the adjacent Atlantic coast.

The regional authority of Gironde stated on Sunday afternoon that "the situation remains very unfavorable" due to gusty winds that aided in igniting other fires overnight.

Authorities stated that the emergency services' top priorities include safeguarding the populace, preserving sensitive locations, and containing the fire's spread.

This week, a second fire near the town of Landiras, south of a region of Bordeaux vineyards, required the evacuation of 4,100 residents.

According to authorities, the pouring of white sand along a 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) stretch brought one flank under control. However, another side remained undefended.

People compelled to evacuate aired their concerns about their abandoned homes to local media, and local officials organized special journeys for some evacuees to retrieve their abandoned pets.

The two fires have consumed more than forty square miles of land.

Sunday and Monday's high temperatures and winds will hinder efforts to stop the fires from spreading further, according to emergency officials.

"The day will be quite hot, therefore we must act with extreme caution and modesty. No favorable weather window exists "Eric Florensan, a regional fire authority, stated on radio France-Bleu.

In the western provinces of Extremadura and Castilla y León, some of the most alarming fires in Spain were centered.

Firefighters were unable to stop the spread of a blaze in the city of Caceres that threatened the Monfrague National Park and prevented 200 individuals from returning to their houses.

In southern Spain, another fire near the city of Malaga prompted the evacuation of an additional 2,500 people. In addition to other regions, there were other fires near the vital town of Avila in northwestern Galicia.

Hungary, Croatia, and the Greek island of Crete have also battled flames this week.

The UK Met Office has issued its first "red warning" of excessive heat for Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures in southern England may hit 40 degrees Celsius for the first time.

That would still be somewhat comfortable compared to the new national high of 47 degrees Celsius in the northern Portuguese town of Pinhao on Wednesday.