Serbia races to contain wildfires as Europe’s blistering heat wave grips the Balkans

Authorities in Serbia are racing to contain a major wildfire that sent thick gray smoke drifting over a wooded area in the northeastern part of the country on Friday. Firefighters are battling multiple blazes raging across the nation as emergency services respond to the crisis.

The widespread fires are occurring amid a blistering heat wave and prolonged drought gripping the Balkans, part of a broader extreme weather pattern affecting Europe.