Firefighters calm wildfires in Spain

Spanish firefighters say the wildfires that ripped through the Canary islands and parts of western Spain over the weekend are gradually coming under control.

The fires fanned by hot winds forced evacuations from the Canary islands of La Gomera and La Palma, but as the flames wane people are being allowed to return to their homes.

In the Extremadura region a member of the emergency services died over the weekend with three others injured as fires raged due to the dry conditions.

Rescue services employed firefighting aircraft to help douse the flames.

Locals say the lack of rain all year coupled with high temperatures created the ideal conditions for the fires.

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