Spain is grappling with one of its worst wildfire crises in decades, with firefighters and troops battling 20 major blazes as a heatwave pushes temperatures to 45°C (113°F). Authorities say at least three people, including a volunteer firefighter, have died and thousands have been forced from their homes. More than 115,000 hectares have burned in the past week, disrupting road and rail links and blanketing neighbouring France with smoke. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cut short his summer break and travelled to the hard-hit north-western region of Galicia, where several fires have merged into a single front. He ordered the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers, bringing the Military Emergencies Unit on the ground to 1,900 personnel, and warned of “challenging days ahead” as strong winds and tinder-dry vegetation fuel the flames. The fires have struck chiefly in Galicia, Castile and Leon, Extremadura and Asturias, closing highways and the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Galicia. Spain has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism; France, Italy and Germany are sending aircraft and specialist crews to reinforce local efforts. Interior-ministry figures show 27 arrests and 92 investigations for suspected arson since June. Neighbouring Portugal is also fighting widespread blazes after a prolonged drought, with around 155,000 hectares scorched so far this year and one fatality reported on Friday. Sanchez said Madrid will present a “national pact” in September to improve prevention and adaptation to what he called an accelerating climate emergency.