A forest fire is threatening homes and industrial areas in the western Turkish province of Izmir, local media and witnesses reported, quoted by AFP and dariknews.bg.
The fire broke out at around 1:00 p.m. (local time) between the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes in the southern part of Izmir province. The fire spread rapidly due to winds of up to 117 km/h, Governor Suleyman Elban said.
The strong wind grounded helicopters, leaving two water-bombing planes and a large ground team to battle the flames, Elban added.
Five neighborhoods in the Seferihisar district have been evacuated as the fire approaches residential areas, the governor said.
Residents of the village of Urkmez are cutting down trees to create firebreaks and protect their homes, a witness said.
A separate fire that broke out at a landfill in Gaziemir, 13 km from the center of Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, is spreading to a nearby forest and threatening the Otokent industrial zone, where several car dealerships are located.
In footage broadcast by Turkish NTV channel, one of the car dealerships is seen in flames.
Flights at Izmir airport have been temporarily suspended, Turkish media reported.
The first heat wave of the summer in Spain has broken a historical record for the highest temperature measured in June, BNR reported. The thermometers in the southwestern city of El Granado, province of Huelva, recorded 46 degrees Celsius.
In addition to the record in El Granado, five other cities in the autonomous region of Andalusia recorded temperatures above 43 degrees. The unprecedented heat is set to continue in the coming days. Dangerous heat warnings have been issued for 70% of the country.
According to the State Meteorological Agency, significantly high temperatures were also recorded on the night of Saturday into Sunday: temperatures did not fall below 30 degrees in parts of Gran Canaria and reached 28 degrees in some cities on the Iberian Peninsula in the early hours.
A spokesman for the agency commented that it was entirely possible that the average temperature for June would exceed that of July for many years. According to him, since the end of May, temperatures in Spain have been similar to summer temperatures.
In the first month of summer, the Spanish Ministry of Health has issued health risk warnings related to dangerous heat almost every day.
In Barcelona, the City Council has launched an investigation after the death of an employee of a cleaning company this Saturday after finishing her shift during the heat wave.
London has recorded 31 degrees for two days in a row, and the heat wave over the British Isles continues to intensify, BNR reported. The mercury is expected to reach 34 degrees today and Tuesday.
A heat warning code of orange is in effect in many areas of the United Kingdom. It will remain in effect until Tuesday evening. The extreme heat is very dangerous for people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions.
The UK's Health Security Agency has urged people, especially the more vulnerable, to be very careful when they are out in the sun. It is also recommended to drink more water and avoid alcohol.
There have already been many cases of dehydration recorded, including Carrie Johnson - the wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was admitted to hospital.
On Sunday, central London, very close to Buckingham Palace, measured 31 degrees.
Although a slight cooling is expected in most parts of the country on Tuesday, meteorologists predict that the temperature in the British capital will reach 34 degrees.
The previous record for the highest temperature in June is 35.6 degrees. This value has been measured twice - in 1957 in Southampton and in 1976 in London.