Spain calls wildfires one of its worst disasters in years

The Spanish government on Tuesday described wildfires that have swept the country as one of the country's worst environmental disasters in years, as it approved relief measures for affected areas.

Blazes that flared across Spain this month have ravaged over 350,000 hectares (865,000 acres), killed four people and forced thousands of people to temporarily evacuate.

"It is obvious we are facing one of the biggest environmental catastrophes in recent years," Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told a news conference after a weekly cabinet meeting.

The cabinet declared areas hit by the wildfires a disaster area, a move that unlocks direct aid, tax breaks and other assistance for affected communities.

There were 15 still active wildfires fires at level two -- meaning they pose a thre