Spain's worst wave of wildfires on record spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountains on Monday and prompted authorities to close part of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Spain's weather agency warned the public on Monday to be "cautious" of the "very high or extreme fire danger."

Colleen Crowley and her family wanted more than their “sheltered” life in Montecito could offer. They packed everything into 10 suitcases, moved to Spain and have never looked back.

By Nacho Doce and David Latona SANT ANTONI DE PORTMANY, Spain (Reuters) -It's another night, another party at a hotel in Ibiza. The international clientele dances to the house beat while laser lights reflect on the curvy swimming pool and on a sea of sunglasses worn after dark at the open-air venue.

When it comes to beaches, Spain has enforced some tough rules. Many beaches are now smoke-free zones, with a cigarette costing you up to €450 in fines, and a fine for drinking on the beach or promenade ranging from €1,501 to €3,000.

The key to preventing forest fires is creating a rural economy based on the use of forests. While this would generate much-needed employment in “la España vaciada” – “hollowed-out Spain”, the name given to the country’s depopulated rural areas – it also costs money. It is therefore essential to invest in forests.

Spain’s top diplomat dismissed a suggestion that the nation’s failure to commit to a revised NATO spending target was the reason for its absence from this week’s talks to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Spain's worst wave of wildfires in at least two decades spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountain range on Monday and prompted authorities to close part of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.