Firefighters gained control over some of the dozens of wildfires scorching Portugal on Wednesday, as fears mounted that weather conditions could further fan the flames.

Both Portugal and neighbouring Spain have had to battle wildfires in the recent days, a problem they and other countries face every year. Experts say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts and fires around the world.

EL ARENAL, Spain/AROUCA, Portugal (Reuters) -Thousands of firefighters struggled to put out a dozen wildfires raging in northern Portugal and central Spain through the night and into Wednesday, in the largest wave of blazes in the Iberian Peninsula so far this year after weeks of summer heat.