Wildfires have forced the closure of a 31-mile stretch of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage path in Spain.
The country is experiencing its worst wave of wildfires on record, and is in the midst of a 16-day heatwave.
The Camino de Santiago is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe culminating in the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the remains of the apostle Saint James are said to be buried.
The wildfires have spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountains and authorities have shut the pilgrimage path between the towns of Astorga and Ponferrada and told hikers not to put their lives in danger.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles told Cadena SER radio: “This is a fire situation we haven’t experienced in 20 years. The fires have special characteristics as a result of climate change and this huge heat wave.”
Around 20 major wildfires are burning, the majority in Spain’s north-western region of Galicia. Around 2,000 troops have been deployed to help firefighters.
Picture: Shutterstock photo of Camino de Santiago near Astorga
