'Climate change affects everyone': Europe battles wildfires in intense heat

A firefighter works to contain a fire that broke out near Landiras, as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region of southwestern France, in this handout picture taken July 15, 2022 and obtained from the fire brigade of the Gironde region (SDIS 33) on July 16, 2022. SDIS 33/Handout via REUTERS

JERTE, Spain (Reuters) -Authorities across southern Europe battled on Sunday to control huge wildfires in countries including Spain, Greece and France, with hundreds of deaths blamed on soaring temperatures that scientists say are consistent with climate change.

In Spain, helicopters dropped water on the flames as heat above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and often mountainous terrain made the job harder for firefighters.