Thousands of firefighters backed by soldiers and water-bombing aircraft on Monday battled over 20 major wildfires raging across western Spain, where officials say a record area of land has already been burnt.

Spain and neighbouring Portugal have been particularly affected by forest fires fuelled by heatwaves and drought blamed on climate change that have hit southern Europe.

Two firefighters were killed on Sunday -- one in each country, both in road accidents -- taking the death toll to two in Portugal and four in Spain.

Spain's civil protection chief Virginia Barcones told public television TVE that 23 blazes were classified as "operational level two", meaning they pose a direct threat to nearby communities.

The fires, now entering their second week, are concentrated in the western re

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