A heatwave in Greece is expected to continue through the week, with temperatures of around 44 degrees Celsius expected, starting on Monday.

A fire on the popular holiday island of Rhodes that broke out on Sunday was burning out of control on Monday due to extreme drought and strong winds, the fire department had said.

Hotel facilities on Rhodes were not affected so far by the fire and heavy smoke, but three villages in the west of the island’s capital were ordered to evacuate.

There were temporary power outages across large parts of the island on Sunday evening.

Firefighting aircraft and helicopters were deployed at first daylight to contain the flames, state television ERT reported.

The Ministry of Energy called on the public not to set air conditioners to very low temperatures suggesting no lower than 26 degrees.

The prolonged heat and continued running of air conditioners at full blast are testing the country’s energy system.

“It is unclear when the heat will subside. Some meteorologists fear the high temperatures could last up to two weeks,” the minister said.