Greece is among the countries in southern Europe battling wildfires this summer as firefighters continue to tackle blazes on both the mainland and on several of its islands

By STAMOS PROUSALIS DROSOPIGI, Greece (Reuters) -Firefighters were battling wildfires across Greece and the Western Balkans on Saturday as the south of Europe sweltered under the third heatwave of the summer,

Greece battled wildfires that have ravaged homes and prompted evacuations for a second day on Sunday, with the help of Czech firefighters and Italian aircraft expected to arrive later.

Greece and Turkey continue to battle major wildfires amid a severe heatwave. Temperatures reached 42.4C in central Greece at the weekend, with emergency services battling fires in the Peloponnese area of Athens and on the popular tourist islands of Kytheria and Crete.

Officials expect the high risk of fire to continue through October. "We must do all we can to restrict every possible risk," said Giannis Kefalogiannis, Greece's climate crisis and civil protection minister, per the Times. "We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, homes were burned and forestland destroyed."

Turkey and Greece are among the countries impacted by record-breaking temperatures and widespread wildfires.

An arson suspect was caught on CCTV lighting fires in Bulgaria while deadly wildfires continue to sweep across the country and neighbouring Turkey and Greece.

A wildfire has burned through a northern suburb of Athens, Greece, prompting evacuations. On Saturday, residents of Kryoneri received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas.