Almost 6,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in northern, central and southern Spain as wildfires continue to burn amid a heatwave that could bring temperatures of 44C to some parts of the country.

The deadly heat across large parts of Europe has created what scientists have called a “molotov cocktail” of climatic conditions that is fuelling vast wildfires.

A man caught in a blaze on Monday night in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, died in hospital after suffering 98% burns. The fire – described by the regional environment minister as having “explosive characteristics because of a dry storm that has brought winds of more than 70km/h” – was being brought under control on Tuesday morning, with 180 people forced to evacuate and spend the night in local sports centres.