Wildfire near Spanish capital under control as one person dies

Firefighters have contained a wildfire near the Spanish capital Madrid, in the Tres Cantos area, which killed one person and prompted the evacuation of 180 people, regional authorities said on Tuesday.

Favourable overnight conditions allowed for the fire to be contained, the Community of Madrid said in a statement.

A man who had been taken by helicopter to the La Paz hospital after suffering burns on 98 per cent of his body, later died, the Community of Madrid said.

The fire affected more than 1,000 hectares.

A prolonged heatwave in Spain continued on Tuesday, with temperatures set to reach 44 degrees Celsius in some regions, according to meteorology service AEMET.

Scientists say the Mediterranean region's hotter, drier summers put it at a high risk of wildfires. Once fires start, dry vegetation and strong winds can cause them to spread rapidly and burn out of control, sometimes provoking fire whirls.