Greek firefighters continued their efforts against deadly wildfires on the island of Crete for a second consecutive day on Thursday, while similar blazes raged across other parts of Europe after intense fires struck Spain and France in recent days.

On Wednesday, three Greek firefighters lost their lives while fighting the blazes in high winds on Crete and the mainland, and two others received light injuries.

Two firefighters perished after being trapped in the Crete blaze near the village of Krya Vrysi in the island's center as they drove between fire lines. A third died in a separate incident in the Peloponnese region.

Hundreds of residents and tourists were evacuated on Wednesday from Krya Vrysi and nearby villages by sea and land in central Crete as strong winds drove the fire beyond control near popular tourist destinations.

On Thursday, over 200 firefighters supported by numerous fire engines and water-dropping aircraft tackled two wildfires on Crete, where farm crops and olive groves were lost and some warehouses along with a few homes suffered damage.

"Unfortunately there is no improvement, and the latest information indicates that winds will increase later in the day," said Giorgos Tsapakos, deputy regional governor for civil protection on Crete, on SKAI TV.

"Aircraft were unable to operate this morning due to the strong winds," he said.

On Wednesday, the head of the EU's emergency response center noted that Greece and Italy face elevated wildfire risks in the weeks ahead.

Record-breaking heatwaves spread across Europe

Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, has faced record heatwaves this year as human-driven climate change heightens the heat and drought conditions that allow wildfires to advance rapidly.

Blazes have prompted large-scale evacuations in Spain and France over recent days, burning through forests and killing wildlife.

On Wednesday, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska cautioned of "three tough days" ahead due to strong winds and high temperatures, even as the major fire in the Avila and Madrid region stabilized and some evacuation orders were lifted.