Eastern Europe scorches on as heatwave and wildfires rage

High temperatures and wildfires continue to affect much of Eastern Europe, following weeks of record-breaking heat across the continent.

Eastern European countries, including Greece, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, and North Macedonia, continue to grapple with high temperatures and heat-driven wildfires, while Western nations such as France, the UK, Spain, and Denmark see relief from the heat wave as cooler, rainy weather sets in.

The North Macedonia Crisis Management Centre (CUK) announced on Facebook on Wednesday that it recorded 37 wildfires. Meanwhile, Albania saw 22 fires in 24 hours, of which 11 were still active on Wednesday, according to public broadcaster RTSh.

In Croatia, where fires have also erupted in certain areas this week, temperatures are expected to remain high, according to public broadcaster HRT.

The Federal Meteorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina also issued orange and yellow alerts across the country as temperatures were expected to approach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Serbia experiences 40°C (104°F) this weekend, according to broadcaster RTS. Alongside Eastern European nations, Finland and Sweden also remain in the grip of relatively high temperatures.