LISBON: The fires raging across Portugal claimed their first victim Friday (Aug 15), when the former mayor of the eastern town of Guarda died fighting fires there, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced.

Portugal suffered its first death Friday from the fires raging there, as Spain's weather agency warned of a "very high to extreme risk" of more wildfires there during Europe's intense heatwave. Further east, Greece was still fighting blazes on one Aegean island, but the situation had improved for several other southern European countries.

Lisbon: Portugal will enter a state of alert from Sunday due to an intense heatwave and a heightened risk of wildfires, with temperatures projected to reach up to 44°C.

The northern regions of mainland Portugal are once again under a red heat alert. From 10 August, temperatures may rise again in the country.

Wildfires are burning in parts of Europe as millions of people across the continent struggled to adapt to the new reality: record summer heat.

Mainland Portugal will enter a state of alert from Sunday due to a severe heatwave and heightened wildfire risk, with temperatures expected to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius.

According to IPMA data, sea temperatures in the Algarve will range between 23 and 24°C through Saturday. View on euronews

Firefighters battle raging wildfires in Portugal and Bulgaria, while Finland braces for damaging storms - Anadolu Ajansı

The dramatic weather comes as red alerts have been issued for France and Spain with residents urged to stay "absolutely vigilant".