Wildfires are raging across southern Europe, killing at least three people in Spain, Turkey and Albania. Thinly-stretched crews are fighting to contain the blazes after weeks of searing heat. A battle to protect the perimeter of Greece's third-largest city, Patras, has so far failed and only partially contained the gale-fueled blaze. In southern Albania, a wildfire caused explosions after detonating buried World War II-era artillery shells. Officials said on Wednesday that an 80-year-old man died in one blaze south of the capital, Tirana. A firefighting volunteer died in Spain, while a forestry worker was killed in southern Turkey.

An official in Turkey says the country faces a "very risky week" for wildfires as blazes across parts of southeast Europe and the Balkans damaged homes and led to a huge firefighting operation that included evacuations. Nearly 100 people face prosecution over the fires in Turkey. Blazes erupted near Turkey's fourth-largest city Bursa over the weekend. A wildfire also erupted Monday in forests outside the western port city of Izmir where 11 aircraft were helping ground-based fire units and residents battle the blaze. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli told reporters in Ankara on Monday that "we are in a very risky week." Blazes were also affecting Greece, Bulgaria and Albania.

A major forest fire is raging in the northern suburbs of Athens, triggering evacuations of several areas as swirling winds hamper efforts of hundreds of firefighters and dozens of water-dropping planes. The blaze that began Sunday afternoon is racing through pine forests left tinder-dry by repeated heat waves this summer. June and July were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, which also recorded its warmest winter ever. Three hospitals, two monasteries and a children's home were evacuated on Monday, while evacuation orders were issued for at least 30 areas, including several Athens suburbs.

A heat wave across southern Europe forced authorities in Greece to close the Acropolis for several hours in the middle of the day and two firefighters died in southern Italy while putting out a wildfire. Heat warnings remained in effect in parts of Spain, Turkey and countries in the southern Balkan region. North Macedonia is receiving assistance from several countries to battle dozens of wildfires. Temperatures could hit 44 degrees C in parts of Europe's Mediterranean coast by the end of the week.

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