Spain and Portugal on Sunday braced for a fresh heatwave set to sweep the Iberian peninsula, with Lisbon warning of a very high risk of wildfires.

Firefighters in Spain and Portugal are battling wildfires ahead of an expected rise in temperatures that could worsen the situation on the Iberian Peninsula.

Almost 2,700 firefighters battled Tuesday to contain forest blazes across Portugal that have led to almost the whole country being put on high alert for fires.Seventeen major fires blazed with the most serious in the centre and north of the country.