American Marconi Wireless News - Spain PM vows 'climate pact' on visit to fire-hit region

Spain is entering its third week of heatwave alerts and firefighters are continuing to battle blazes in the northwest and west of the country, with army units deployed to help contain the flames.

France and Italy had earlier sent water bombers to an air base near Salamanca to help with the firefighting efforts.

"The government of Spain will work now so that in September we can have the bases of this national pact to mitigate and adapt to the climate emergency," said Prime Minister Sanchez during a visit to Ourense in the northwestern province of Galicia.

He said he wanted to do "everything possible and even more" to ensure victims of the fires returned to a normal life.

The northwest and west of the country have been hard-hit by the fires, particularly the regions of Castile and Leon, Galicia, Asturias and Extremadura.

Spain is expected to remain on heat alert until Monday, with the extreme temperatures having significantly increased the risk of wildfires.

Climate change caused by humans is increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of periods of extreme heat, which fuel forest fires.

F.Schneider--AMWN