Wildfires rage in Russia

More than 500 separate blazes were burning nationwide on Friday, mainly in the western regions [AFP]

The emergencies ministry has called for volunteers to join the firefighting efforts [Reuters]

In Moscow, people wore face mask to protect themselves from toxic smog [AFP]

More than 1,200 homes have been destroyed and thousands of acres of forest land have been scorched [EPA]

The country is suffering its most intense heat wave in 130 years [EPA]