A heatwave continues to scorch its way across Western Europe, reaching 40 degrees Celcius and beyond in some places. French officials are scrambling to curb air pollution, intensified by the soaring temperatures. They've banned the travel of more than half of all cars registered in the area around Paris, shattering previous records. Meanwhile, the mercury hit 40 degrees Celcius in Rome on Thursday. Health officials said the heatwave in the Italian capital and other cities reached a level 3 alert -- the warning system's highest. Spain is another country at the center of the massive heatwave. Filio Kontrafouri has more from Madrid.

It's been dubbed 'el infierno'. That's hell in Spanish. As hot air from Africa travels north, Spain is sweltering under suffocating temperatures. In some parts of the country they are expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius.

"In Madrid it's pretty difficult to deal with, there's so much asphalt and so many buildings so with the temperature it gets overheated and it's difficult to deal with if you can't find some refreshment in a swimming pool or here at this public Madrid fountain."

Even nighttime will bring little relief. Spain's state weather agency is warning of so-called 'tropical nights'.

"The most annoying thing is to not be able to rest, nights when you can't sleep well, you wake up and feel hot and for the oldest people and people who are sick it's even more difficult."

Heatwaves have become more common in Spain in recent years. And the Spanish have been adapting to the extreme temperatures. Staying home and taking a siesta is among the government's official guidelines to cope with the heatwave. Tourists visiting Spain are braving the heat with water yet experts warn if they are not used to extreme heat they can be very vulnerable.

FILIO KONTRAFOURI MADRID "It's almost five pm and the temperature is 39 degrees Celsius in the shade. That's over 100 Fahrenheit. And it will rise more as temperatures in Madrid don't peak until early evening."

Most of Spain's 50 provinces are on alert, with the level in Madrid elevated to orange, one level below red. Temperatures are expected to peak over the weekend - hitting 42 degrees Celsius. That's more than 10 degrees above the average normal for June.

In 2003, tens of thousands died across Europe, including in Spain during a record-breaking heatwave. Extreme heat is most dangerous for those with illnesses and without access to adequate cooling. According to experts, the lethal effects of a heatwave come on suddenly, and escalate quickly - but a heatwave can also claim lives days after it's over.

JULIO DIAZ ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EXPERT "It has a delay of one, two or three days. That means that if temperatures increase today, the rates of mortality will start increasing the day after, two days after and three days after, so if a heat-wave lasts for three or four days you will have an accumulated impact and increase of mortality for three or four days after it's gone."

Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters are battling a massive wildfire in Spain's Catalonia region. Officials believe the fire started when farm manure self-ignited due to the extreme heat. It's one of the worst in Catalonia in 20 years. Heatwaves, experts warn are becoming more frequent, intense and long-lasting due to climate change, and Europeans must find ways to adapt. Filio Kontrafouri, CGTN, Madrid.