Madrid, July 24 -- Wildfires continued to rage across southern Europe, prompting mass evacuations and emergency responses in Spain, France and Italy as authorities battled fast-moving blazes fuelled by extreme heat and strong winds, according to Euronews.

Spain has declared a national emergency as wildfires threaten communities near Madrid and in the province of Avila.

According to Euronews, authorities said fires burning in the towns of Villa del Prado and San Martin de Valdeiglesias, west of the Spanish capital, remain "out of control" although emergency crews have managed to slow their spread in recent hours.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from the affected areas, while parts of Spain are forecast to witness temperatures...