LATEST: Europe's battle with wildfires continues

Across Europe, wildfires continued to rage on Sunday amidst record-breaking temperatures and extremely dry conditions, resulting in thousands of deaths and heightened fire risks. In eastern Belgium, a wildfire in a national reserve expanded more than double in just 24 hours, now covering 3,000 hectares, prompting the evacuation of parts of Germany's Monschau town. Belgian authorities mobilized over 250 firefighters overnight but continued to face challenging conditions.

Smoke from the fire stretched along the German-Belgian border, raising concerns about increased pollution. German authorities advised residents in three districts to evacuate by 10 a.m. as the threat of smoke fallout loomed. Meanwhile, in Croatia, authorities arrested four individuals suspected of starting several wildfires on the Adriatic coast, which have consumed pine forests and olive groves in a country grappling with a drought and heat wave.

France experienced a different scenario, with a fire on the southwestern side containing to 1,700 hectares since Thursday. However, favorable weather conditions, including decreasing temperatures, provided relief to firefighting efforts. The Ardennes region also saw a fire spreading over 100 hectares since Saturday, described as unprecedented in the department's recent history by officials.

On the Greek island of Skyros, firefighters battled a forest fire for a second day, with local officials expressing optimism that the blaze could soon be extinguished. Meanwhile, in Germany's Eifel region, a major blaze forced the evacuation of around 1,800 people from Hürtgenwald town. As the situation around the Gey district improved, residents were allowed to return home.

In northeastern Spain, a fire in Aragon, now in its seventh day, affected over 16,000 hectares. Firefighters halted its spread towards populated areas and two century-old monasteries. France pledged support with additional firefighters and resources. Authorities warned hikers to avoid forested areas due to the fire's proximity to Peña Oroel mountain. Over 1,000 evacuees from 20 villages remained displaced, but weather forecasts anticipated some relief in the form of light rain and cooler temperatures.