Firefighters in France have contained the country's largest wildfire in decades, but authorities remain on high alert because of high heat that could reignite the flames.

PATRAS, Greece,/MADRID (Reuters) -Wildfires fanned by a heatwave and strong winds continued to rage across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning houses, farms and factories and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.

Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece have seen highs of more than 40 degrees Celsius in recent days.