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.

Fires burned in France’s Aude wine region, along Bulgaria’s southern borders, near Montenegro’s capital and coast, and in Turkey’s northwest — and Hungary recorded record-breaking weekend temperatures.

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.

‘Heatwaves don’t roar like storms – they creep in quietly, but can be just as deadly.’ A four-year-old boy died in Sardinia, Italy, earlier today after being found unconscious in his family’s car. He died of irreversible brain damage caused by heatstroke despite being airlifted to hospital in Rome.

More than 350,000 hectares have burned across Europe since the year's beginning, with at least 1,478 fires detected so far, according to European Forest Fires Information System - Anadolu Ajansı

The highest red heat alerts have been issued for 12 departments in southwest France, where temperatures as high as 43C (109F) are forecast.

A heat wave gripping parts of Europe sent temperatures over 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit — 40 degrees Celsius — in southern France and the Western Balkans on Monday.

The national weather authority has placed multiple departments on high heat alert, while officials warn of worsening air quality in several regions, including Marseille, Paris and parts of southern France.