A series of large wildfires is stretching emergency services across southern Europe as a persistent heatwave and strong winds drive flames through France, Greece and Italy, leaving at least two people dead and forcing fresh rounds of evacuations and tourism restrictions. In France’s Aude department, what officials call the country’s worst wildfire in decades has scorched more than 62 square miles of vineyards and garrigue. About 1,400 firefighters worked to contain the blaze after it killed one person and injured 25, including 19 firefighters. Although the fire’s advance has slowed, massifs remain closed until at least the end of next week and visitor numbers have plunged. In the village of Durban-Corbières, 600 residents went three days without potable water or electricity before limited services were restored. Near Athens, strong gusts reignited a wildfire in the town of Keratea soon after authorities said it was contained. More than 260 firefighters backed by nearly 80 engines and 12 aircraft battled the flames, while residents in several neighbourhoods were ordered to leave. One man was found dead in a burned-out structure, according to the fire service. In Italy, firefighters have been tackling a blaze on the flanks of Mount Vesuvius since Friday. All hiking routes on the volcano have been closed to tourists, and 12 ground crews supported by six Canadair water-bombers are working to keep the fire from spreading toward nearby communities. The national park, which welcomed about 620,000 visitors last year, offered no timeline for reopening. Authorities across the region warn that high temperatures and low humidity are likely to persist, heightening the risk of reignition and new outbreaks even where initial containment lines are holding.