France, July 27 -- More than 325,000 people have fled their homes in the two countries, with some of the worst fires in their recent history burning across south-west France and central and eastern Spain.

French President Emmanuel Macron is due to hold a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday morning. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez prepared to visit fire-hit areas in Valencia, where a new blaze has forced 15,000 people to evacuate.

During a visit to Avila province, west of Madrid, on Sunday, Sanchez warned that "difficult hours lie ahead".

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the fires were continuing to advance, although more slowly. Civil protection chief Virginia Barcones described the vast blaze around Avila as a...