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Heat wave in Spain: A man pours a water bottle over himself in Madrid
Photo: Ricardo Rubio / dpa
The scorching heat in Spain with temperatures up to 45 degrees lasts at least a day longer than previously thought.
The national weather service Aemet announced that it would end on Tuesday at the earliest, after around eleven days.
The values should climb up to 45 degrees in the shade on Thursday in the regions of Extremadura in the west and Andalusia in the south.
Maximum temperatures of 37 degrees were predicted on the holiday island of Mallorca.
In 16 of Spain's 17 autonomous communities, the heat alarm has been in effect since Tuesday and will continue until Friday.
Only the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa are spared the extreme heat.
The heat wave began on Saturday and is the second in Spain this year.
According to the National Weather Service, it will be one of the largest and longest heatwaves since records began in 1975.
In combination with a drought that has lasted for weeks and strong winds, the heat is promoting the outbreak and spread of forest fires.
Fire brigade, army and civil defense forces fought numerous fires on Thursday, but so far the authorities have not been too concerned.
Temperatures are expected to start dropping again on Saturday.
dam/dpa
