Wildfires engulf parts of France and Spain

Wildfires in Europe are continuing to burn as Spanish town is put on high alert

 
A raging wildfire is threatening the Spanish town of Portbou in Catalonia, on the border with France.

The blaze began on the French side of the border and crossed over to Spain on Sunday, sparking the evacuation of some farmhouses and residents.

Spanish state media say at least 750 hectares of land have burned in both sides of the border.

Trains and roads connecting the two countries were also shut.

The Catalan government said it had sent nine fire crews to help fight the inferno on the French side.

Meanwhile a second fire started near another French town along the Mediterranean coast. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed.

Spain and southern France continued to experience wildfires over the winter, with low rainfall following last summer’s severe drought.

Some districts in southern France have already introduced water restrictions as authorities warned that low groundwater reserves could herald an even worse drought this summer. #trending #featured