Wildfires have triggered the largest ever deployment of the European Union firefighting force, Spain’s prime minister said, as the country prepares to battle blazes tearing across several regions in the days ahead.

Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades with Spain among the hardest-hit countries. In the past week alone, fires there have killed three people and burned more than 1,150sq km (445sq miles) while neighbouring Portugal also battles widespread blazes.