Firefighters in France have contained the country's largest wildfire in decades, but authorities remain on high alert because of high heat that could reignite the flames.

PATRAS, Greece,/MADRID (Reuters) -Wildfires fanned by a heatwave and strong winds continued to rage across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning houses, farms and factories and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.

Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds continued to rage across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning houses, farms and factories and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.

Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece have seen highs of more than 40 degrees Celsius in recent days.

STORY: Wildfires fanned by a heatwave and strong winds continued to rage across southern Europe on Wednesday, as houses, farms and factories were burned and thousands of residents and tourists were evacuated.

A heat wave has brought temperatures of over 40°C (104°F) in parts of Europe, creating dry conditions perfect for fire.

Greece was hit on Wednesday by more than twenty fires fanned by violent gusts of wind, stated Vassilis Vathrakoyannis, spokesman for the Greek fire brigade. “It is certainly the most difficult 24 hours of the fire season,

Firefighters have struggled to get the fires under control as they have affected countries including Spain, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Türkiye, Greece, Albania, and Montenegro.