Forest fires are raging in the Balkans and parts of Europe as millions of people across the continent struggle to adapt to a new reality: record summer heat, writes "Ekatimeriny".

Temperatures in some areas have soared above 40 degrees Celsius.

Europe is warming faster than any other continent, twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Last year was the hottest year on record in Europe and globally, the monitoring agency said.

Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat waves and droughts, making parts of Europe more vulnerable to forest fires. Burning fuels such as petrol, oil and coal releases heat-trapping gases that are a major cause of climate change.

Turkey: Thousands evacuated, some by boat

Firefighters have largely contained a major forest fire in northwestern Turkey, the forestry minister said, a day after the blaze forced the evacuation of hundreds and halted shipping.

The fire broke out on farmland in the province of Canakkale. Fanned by strong winds, it quickly spread into a wooded area and then engulfed a residential area. It forced the evacuation of 2,000 residents - some by sea - and 77 people were hospitalized with smoke inhalation, authorities said.

Firefighters are still battling two other forest fires in the western provinces of Manisa and Izmir, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on social media.

Greece: Multiple evacuations due to wildfires

In Greece, seven major wildfires, mostly in the west, have prompted multiple evacuations, destroying homes and businesses as flames reach the outskirts of the country’s third-largest city.

The fire service has sent resources to the port city of Patras, where a wildfire raging through a mountain range is threatening an industrial area.

Strong winds have hampered firefighting efforts on the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, where authorities are on standby to evacuate tourists who are not in immediate danger.

Other major wildfires continue to burn in several areas of western mainland Greece and on the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea.

Across the country, the civil protection service has issued more than 20 mobile phone warnings on Tuesday with evacuation orders and advisories.

Britain: Another heatwave

Temperatures were expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in southern England, including London.

Forecasters have predicted a heatwave of temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius for most of Britain – and 28 degrees Celsius for London and its surrounding areas – for three or more consecutive days.

Spain and Portugal: Multiple wildfires

Firefighters have largely contained a blaze near Madrid that broke out on Monday night, authorities said. One man has died, suffering burns to 98 percent of his body, emergency services said.

In other regions, including Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia and Galicia, firefighters and nearly 1,000 soldiers were battling blazes. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes and hotels, including beachgoers in southern Spain.

Regional authorities said on Tuesday afternoon that some of those evacuated from beaches could return to their hotels.

In Portugal, more than 700 firefighters were working to contain a fire in the municipality of Trancoso, about 350 kilometers northeast of Lisbon. Smaller fires were raging further north.

France: Red heat warning

The national weather service has put most of southern France on its highest level of alert, with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius for a second day in a row.

The heat is expected to spread to the northeast, including the Paris region, Meteo France said.

Some municipalities have offered free access to public swimming pools.

Most regions in central and southern France are on high-risk wildfire watch after a deadly blaze last week in the Aude region. Authorities said the fire was under control but would not be fully extinguished for weeks, with hot spots at risk of re-igniting. I BGNES