Europe wildfires: Latest developments

Countries across Europe on Saturday battled wildfires amid blistering temperatures and tinder-dry landscapes, with thousands of people evacuated.

A historically hot summer has contributed to the deaths of thousands of people -- and increased the risk of forest fires. Here are the latest developments:

France

A forest fire in the Landes region of southwest France reignited early Saturday forcing the evacuation of another 100 residents and holidaymakers around the town of Luglon, authorities said.

The fire, which has been burning since Thursday, has now devastated 15.8 square kilometers (six square miles) of forest with some 650 people forced out of their homes, said regional government prefect Gilles Clavreul. Some 550 firefighters are in the battle against the flames near the eruption of another fire in July that covered 37 square km of land. Clavreul said he had asked the government to send a Chinook water-bombing helicopter that has been sent by Australia to help with France's wildfire crisis.

Belgium

A wildfire at the Fagnes natural park in eastern Belgium, near the border with Germany, has ravaged almost 8.5 square kilometers of forest, authorities said. The fire started Friday and spread rapidly through the night.

Firefighter reinforcements from all of Belgium and from Germany have been called in.

Germany

In Germany's Eifel region, just across the border from Belgium, some 1,400 firefighters on Saturday battled to contain a major fire that has forced the evacuation of some 1,800 people from Hurtgenwald - a town of 9,000.

Croatia

More than 100 firefighters and two water bombing planes battled through the night to contain a major forest fire that broke out on Friday on the Croatian island of Dugi otok, threatening a large number of homes.

Another major fire, which engulfed vineyards and olive groves on the Peljesac peninsula further south, was also brought under control on Friday evening, following a fierce battle involving 240 firefighters and three planes.

Serbia

Serbian authorities said late Friday they were battling 25 serious forest fires, including one which has devastated 25 sq km of land at the Deliblatska national park near Belgrade.

Greece

Firefighters remain on high alert in Greece, where the risk of fire remains very high in several parts of the country due to strong winds.

More than fifty agricultural and forest fires have broken out in the last 24 hours, most of which were brought under control quickly, according to the fire service.