Hundreds of firefighters, supported by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, continued efforts on Saturday to contain one of Spain's deadliest wildfires, which has claimed at least 12 lives and scorched a vast area of southern Andalusia.

The wildfire, which broke out late Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almería province, has burned around 66 square kilometres of forest and farmland, regional authorities said.

Emergency officials said improved weather conditions, including light winds and higher humidity, have aided firefighting operations, although the scale of the blaze remains a major challenge. Fire crews also carried out controlled burns overnight to prevent the flames from spreading further.

Authorities expect favorable weather conditions to continue into Sunday, which could help contain the fire.

Most of the victims, believed to be foreign nationals, reportedly died after ignoring official shelter-in-place orders. Seven people lost their lives after abandoning their vehicles and attempting to flee on foot.

Regional officials said four of the victims are believed to be British nationals, based on the right-hand-drive vehicle in which they were found. Authorities have completed autopsies and collected DNA samples to confirm the identities of the victims.

Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has been in contact with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands, as Almería is home to a large foreign community.

Nearly all homes along the fire's perimeter have remained intact, Justice Minister Félix Bolaños said.

The wildfire comes as Western Europe experiences its third heatwave in six weeks, with Spain and neighboring France facing extreme temperatures. Climate experts have warned that Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, is increasingly vulnerable to prolonged heatwaves and destructive wildfires.

Authorities have evacuated 1,448 residents from 11 affected areas as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.