Wildfires continue to burn across Europe as temperatures remain high 

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Much of Europe is seeing exceptionally high temperatures continue as August begins and some nations are feeling the effects worse than others.

In Rome, a large wildfire burned through the natural reserve of Monte Mario on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters were seen dropping water from helicopters onto the fire in the hilly area, while many residents were evacuated as the flames approached nearby buildings.

The fires were not far from the Rome-based studios of the Italian public television RAI. 

In Albania, wildfires continued to burn on Wednesday.

While they came close to homes in the southern village of Mashkullorë, they caused no significant damage. 

In the coastal town of Shëngjin, though, the picture was more serious.

Hundreds of Albanian firefighters, military personnel and volunteers managed to get a major fire under control after it damaged a roof and two beach bars, sending visitors fleeing in panic.

An Albanian army Cougar helicopter and two Italian Canadair planes, part of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, helped spare the beach town from the flames.

In neighbouring North Macedonia, a major fire raged east of the town of Sveti Nikole. 

An army helicopter and the three Air Tractor planes were engaged to stop the fire.

In the remote village of Kokoshinje, between Sveti Nikole and Probištip, an elderly man died from smoke inhalation after the village was affected by fire. Firefighters were able to save his wife. 

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski assured the public that there are sufficient firefighters and members of the army and police to manage the fires, despite them being at a historic peak.

Just yesterday, 66 active outdoor fires were reported, 40 of which were successfully extinguished. 

Serbia lent two helicopters to North Macedonia to help tackle the serious forest fire that is spreading near the Prohor Pčinjski monastery on the border between the two countries.