Spain has endured the worst fire season on record, with devastating blazes continuing to destroy homes and land across the country.

Spain's weather agency warned the public on Monday to be "cautious" of the "very high or extreme fire danger."

GONDULFES, Spain (Reuters) -Wildfires raging in northern and western Spain have burned through nearly the same area in the past 24 hours as in all of last year, although the end of a 16-day heatwave and expected rainfall have fanned hopes that an end may be in sight.

The key to preventing forest fires is creating a rural economy based on the use of forests. While this would generate much-needed employment in “la España vaciada” – “hollowed-out Spain”, the name given to the country’s depopulated rural areas – it also costs money. It is therefore essential to invest in forests.

This year is turning into one of the worst fire seasons in recent memory in Europe. Firefighters are struggling to contain out-of-control wildfires in western Spain and Portugal.

Spain deploys 500 additional soldiers to fight devastating wildfires as extreme heat fuels blazes across Europe.

Thousands of firefighters are trying to get on top of blazes burning in parched woodland in the country's northwest. | ITV National News

Wildfires are devastating northwestern Spain, prompting the evacuation of 30,000 people across the provinces of Ourense, Zamora, and León, as well as the Extremadura region. Authorities have arrested 31 people and are investigating 92 others on suspicion of arson.

Spain's worst wave of wildfires in at least two decades spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountain range on Monday and prompted authorities to close part of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.