More than 4,000 people have been evacuated as a result of a rapidly spreading wildfire on the Spanish Canary island of La Palma, according to authorities.

The fire broke out early Saturday morning in El Pinar de Puntagorda, a forested area in the north of the island. So far, 10 firefighting planes and more than 300 firefighters have been deployed, hoping to contain the blaze, which is spreading rapidly due to the continuing drought and strong winds.

Both the village of Puntagorda and the neighboring town of Tigaravi have been evacuated. Authorities have warned that many homes may have to be evacuated if the fire service does not take control.

At least 13 homes have been destroyed by the fire, according to the regional president Fernando Clavijo in the Canary Islands.

– There was some resistance from the local population to leaving their homes. He says I urge people to follow the advice of the authorities and take responsibility.

Forest fires have so far burned in the next 500 square kilometres. This corresponds to an area the size of Oslo municipality.

The wildfires are happening in La Palma at the same time that southern Europe is hit by a new heat wave.

In many parts of Spain there were temperatures above 40 degrees. In Athens, the popular tourist area of ​​the Acropolis was closed for the third consecutive day, while in Italy a red alert was issued for 16 cities. On Sunday, several heat records are expected to be broken.