Firefighters continued battling multiple wildfires across the Balkans on Wednesday as a severe heatwave pushed temperatures toward 40°C (104°F) in several areas, creating dangerous fire conditions.

After days of intense heat and prolonged drought, wildfires remain active in several countries, including Serbia and Albania. In Serbia, a man died in a village about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Belgrade after losing control of a fire he had started near his home.

“This is the most serious consequence of irresponsible behavior. Once again, I urge all citizens to exercise the greatest caution,” police official Luka Čaušić told reporters.

Major Fire Burns in Central Serbia

A large wildfire is also burning out of control in the Ibar Valley in central Serbia, where firefighters, assisted by aerial firefighting aircraft, are working to protect nearby villages.

Footage broadcast by local media showed thick smoke rising above pine forests while flames spread across hillsides close to residential areas. Smoke from another wildfire in a protected nature reserve was also visible from Belgrade.

Albania Brings Dozens of Fires Under Control

Further south, Albanian authorities managed to contain dozens of wildfire outbreaks after fires in the country’s southern regions forced residents to evacuate their homes.

Officials have issued extreme wildfire risk warnings across much of the region as soaring temperatures and dry conditions continue to threaten new outbreaks.

Heatwave Deepens Drought Across Europe

The prolonged heatwave has also worsened drought conditions affecting large parts of Europe.

Water levels along sections of the Danube River have fallen to historic lows, reducing hydroelectric power generation and disrupting oil imports transported by river into Serbia.

At Bezdan, where the Danube enters Serbia after flowing through Croatia and Hungary, water levels continue to decline after reaching a record low last week.