LISBON: The fires raging across Portugal claimed their first victim Friday (Aug 15), when the former mayor of the eastern town of Guarda died fighting fires there, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced.

Lisbon: Portugal will enter a state of alert from Sunday due to an intense heatwave and a heightened risk of wildfires, with temperatures projected to reach up to 44°C.

According to IPMA data, sea temperatures in the Algarve will range between 23 and 24°C through Saturday. View on euronews

The UK is experiencing unusual hazy conditions following season's fourth heatwave which has left many wondering about the cause.The Met Office has now revealed that smoke from wildfires in Spain and Portugal is responsible for the hazy skies.

Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe as millions of people across the continent struggled to adapt to the new reality: record summer heat.

Firefighters have spent days battling blazes in Greece, Portugal, Spain and elsewhere. Forecasters said temperatures could pass 111 degrees in some places on Thursday.

Heat alerts were issued in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Firefighters battle raging wildfires in Portugal and Bulgaria, while Finland braces for damaging storms - Anadolu Ajansı

Greece battled a dozen major wildfires, including one threatening its third-largest city Patras, as a heatwave stoked blazes and forced the evacuation of thousands in southern Europe.

The dramatic weather comes as red alerts have been issued for France and Spain with residents urged to stay "absolutely vigilant".