Wildfires are tearing through Spain and Portugal, torching a record expanse of countryside. Fanned by an unrelenting heatwave and months of drought, the flames have forced hurried evacuations and left firefighters racing to protect threatened towns.

Portugal’s caretaker government has announced plans to expel approximately 18,000 foreigners living in the country without authorization—a significant move disclosed by Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro ahead of a national election.

A massive power outage has plunged Spain and Portugal into darkness, knocking out key services and forcing the evacuation of subway systems in both countries.