Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes as massive wildfires continue to spread across parts of France and Spain, fueled by extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the blazes as the country’s worst wildfire crisis since World War II, while Spanish authorities said more than 63,000 residents have been evacuated from communities near Madrid.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the fires as “the most painful expression of the climate emergency,” stressing the increasing impact of extreme weather events.

In France, emergency officials reported the formation of rare “fire clouds” created by the intensity of the infernos, a phenomenon that underscores the severity of the disaster.

Weather forecasters have warned that above-average temperatures and little or no rainfall are expected throughout the week, increasing concerns that the fires could intensify and spread to more communities.