By Leonardo Benassatto and Miguel Pereira EL ARENAL, Spain/AROUCA, Portugal (Reuters) -Thousands of firefighters struggled to put out a dozen wildfires raging in northern Portugal and central Spain through the night and into Wednesday,

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.

Firefighters gained control over some of the dozens of wildfires scorching Portugal on Wednesday, as fears mounted that weather conditions could further fan the flames.