2 firefighters die in Greece as others fight massive blaze in France

Emergency crews are battling a massive wildfire in southwest France that covers an area four times the size of Paris. The firefighting efforts are being severely challenged by extreme temperatures, with forecasts indicating that temperatures will climb above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Officials warn that the ongoing heat wave and expected winds could further hamper progress against the mega-fire.

Concurrently, the broader European wildfire emergency has resulted in fatalities elsewhere. Two firefighters died on the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday while responding to blazes as the continent's wildfire crisis worsens.