To avoid starting wildfires – which is a criminal offence in Greece – you should always pick up litter (especially glass), avoid barbecues and make sure that cigarettes are properly extinguished.

Wildfires driven by searing temperatures and strong winds ravaged Turkey and parts of Greece in recent days, leaving four people dead and forcing hundreds of residents and tourists to flee the flames.

ATHENS, July 22 (Reuters) - Greece and the wider Balkans sweltered under the third heatwave of the summer on Tuesday, with labourers barred from work, tourists kept away from the ruins and firefighters battling blazes scattered across the arid countryside.

Extreme heat, high winds and fires have plagued parts of Greece and Turkey as temperatures in Greece have risen to 111.2 degrees and in Turkey to 122.9 degrees.

A fierce forest fire near the Greek city of Corinth saw villagers flee their homes after officials ordered evacuations. More than 180 firefighters, 15 planes and 12 helicopters tackled the wildfire, which tore through a pine forest in the mountains near the city. There were no initial reports of casualties.

A major forest fire has broken out in Greece, and authorities have ordered several villages near Corinth, west of Athens, to evacuate.

A firefighting helicopter crashed into the sea while attempting to collect water to combat a blaze in Athens. All three crew members were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital.  Greece is combating a surge in wildfires amid soaring temperatures.

Evacuations in Greece after major forest fire breaks out - Fires fanned by gusty winds and stubborn heatwave that has pushed temperatures to around 40C across much of Greece

People living in the suburb of Kryoneri were told to move to safe areas on Saturday as almost 150 firefighters fought the blaze, backed up by 44 fire engines, planes and helicopters.

An arson suspect was caught on CCTV lighting fires in Bulgaria while deadly wildfires continue to sweep across the country and neighbouring Turkey and Greece.