A heat wave gripping parts of Europe sent temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) in southern France and the Western Balkans on Monday, fueling wildfires, triggering top-level weather alerts and forcing evacuations in several countries across what scientists warn is the world’s fastest-warming continent.

PARIS (AP) — A heat wave gripped parts of Europe on Monday, sending temperatures up to 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) in southern France and increasing risks of wildfires in wine country, while Bulgaria suffered blazes along its southern borders and Hungary saw record-breaking weekend temperatures.

Wildfires have been raging across Europe over the past few days, with several countries, such as Italy and Spain, experiencing severe heatwaves.

Europe is braced for wildfire threats and scorching weather, as a heat wave engulfs the region this week. The highest red heat alerts have been issued for 12 departments in southwest France, where temperatures as high as 43C (109F) are forecast for areas near Bordeaux and Toulouse on Monday and Tuesday.

A large wildfire in north east London has been tackled by 60 firefighters, as the UK heads for a potential fourth heatwave. Crews were called to Wanstead Flats on Monday after receiving reports that three hectares of grass had caught fire,

Southern Europe is grappling with a series of devastating wildfires. At least 14 people have died in Turkey, extreme heat making conditions especially dangerous. Fires have also broken out in Greece,