A fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds and extreme drought conditions swept across France's Mediterranean coast on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of several hamlets near the resort town of Fréjus as firefighters raced to contain the blaze amid a widening heatwave affecting much of southern Europe.

French authorities said the wildfire had scorched approximately 180 hectares of vegetation by Sunday evening after spreading rapidly through dry forests and scrubland. Television footage showed towering flames advancing behind hillside villas while thick black smoke blanketed parts of the French Riviera.

Local prefect Simon Babre said the fire spread "extremely quickly" because of the combination of prolonged high temperatures, exceptionally dry vegetation and strong winds, all of which have significantly increased wildfire danger across southern France.

As a precaution, authorities evacuated several small communities threatened by the advancing flames. Emergency crews also suspended rail services between Toulon and Les Arcs after the fire approached railway infrastructure, while firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from reaching additional residential areas.

Hundreds of firefighters, assisted by water-bombing aircraft and helicopters, were deployed to contain the wildfire. Officials said protecting homes and preventing further evacuations remained the immediate priority as crews battled difficult weather conditions.

The latest wildfire comes after several major blazes have already affected southern France this summer, with thousands of residents evacuated in previous incidents as authorities warned that the country's wildfire season has started earlier than usual because of prolonged heatwaves and drought.

The fire in France coincides with a broader surge in wildfire danger across southern Europe.

In Spain, meteorological authorities warned that temperatures could climb to 44 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, maintaining an extreme wildfire risk. Existing fires near Madrid and Guadalajara have already burned around 1,500 hectares, while emergency services remain on high alert for new outbreaks.

Meanwhile, Greece has placed the wider Athens metropolitan area under heightened wildfire alert. Authorities have expanded surveillance operations by deploying drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, increasing aerial patrols, and positioning water cannon vehicles and firefighting units in vulnerable areas to enable a rapid response should new fires erupt.

International agencies have also warned that Europe could face additional weeks of elevated wildfire danger.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently cautioned that prolonged periods of high temperatures, low humidity and increasingly dry vegetation are creating ideal conditions for destructive wildfires across the continent. The organizations have also warned that sustained heat could result in additional heat-related fatalities following the severe late-June heatwave that contributed to nearly 10,000 excess deaths across Europe and the United Kingdom.

Climate scientists note that repeated heatwaves, prolonged drought and increasingly frequent extreme weather events have significantly lengthened Europe's wildfire season in recent years, increasing the pressure on emergency services and raising concerns about the growing impact of climate change on public safety and critical infrastructure. (ILKHA)