Europe heatwaves and wildfires continue

Europe remains in the grip of an intense heatwave with wildfires threatening several countries.

France's largest wildfires have largely been brought under control, but could reignite as heat wave and winds approach.

This as Greece is battling fresh wildfires that have claimed the lives of three firefighters.

The massive blaze in France's Gironde region had not spread during a calm night, after days of intensive firefighting.

More than 2,200 firefighters and over 20 aircrafts remained mobilized, as local residents joined efforts by refilling water tanks and soaking the scorched ground to prevent the fire from reigniting.

But authorities warned the danger had not passed. As temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius Wednesday afternoon and winds strengthened, the reprieve threatened to be short-lived.

There are hot ashes everywhere and smoke still rising from the ground. With the vegetation so dry after several severe heat waves, firefighters know that these hotspots can flare up again at any moment.

As the wildfire have swept across pockets of southern Europe, three Greek firefighters died battling blazes on Crete and the Peloponnese region on Wednesday, with hundreds of residents and tourists being evacuated.

Weeks of unusual heatwave also led to a drought and fires in parts of the UK Wednesday.

The heat is taking a toll on agriculture, with farmers warning that dry weather is damaging crops and reducing harvests.

According to the EU's Copernicus climate service, Western Europe recorded its hottest June on record, with extreme heat and widespread dryness contributing to the spread and intensification of fires.

But French national weather service forecasts cooler weather and potential rain to reach the wildfire-hit region on Thursday.