While southern Europeans try to escape the harsh high temperatures, firefighting teams in multiple countries are exhausted from the constant calls. However, weather forecasts indicate that this heatwave will intensify in the coming days.
According to AFP reports, fires were reported in France and Turkey on the 29th, while other countries remain on alert.
Authorities in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France are all urging people to avoid the scorching heat and to protect those most vulnerable from the impact of the first major heatwave of this summer.
Experts are warning that with worsening climate change, heatwaves will become commonplace. Meanwhile, the authorities have ordered ambulances to be stationed at major tourist sites.
In Turkey, local media reported that helped by strong winds, a forest fire broke out on the afternoon of the 29th in the western province of Izmir. The provincial governor stated that firefighters, supported by specially modified planes, fought the blaze, and five areas in Seferihisar District had to be evacuated.
In France, wildfires in the Corbières area of Aude, in the southwest, forced preventive evacuations from a campsite and a monastery. Temperatures locally soared to 40 degrees Celsius.
In Greece, firefighters had already been battling a forest fire south of the capital Athens last week, which forced some local evacuations.
According to the French Meteorological Agency’s forecasts, 84 of the country’s 101 departments will be under orange alert—the second-highest heat warning level—on the 30th, a record number.
Spain’s national weather agency reported that in the southern and southwestern areas of Extremadura and Andalusia, temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius on the 29th.
In Italy, 21 cities—including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Catania—are under extreme heat alert.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere pointed out that in Portugal’s southern half, including the capital Lisbon, a red warning for high temperatures will remain in effect until the night of the 30th.
According to AFP reports, fires were reported in France and Turkey on the 29th, while other countries remain on alert.
Authorities in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France are all urging people to avoid the scorching heat and to protect those most vulnerable from the impact of the first major heatwave of this summer.
Experts are warning that with worsening climate change, heatwaves will become commonplace. Meanwhile, the authorities have ordered ambulances to be stationed at major tourist sites.
In Turkey, local media reported that helped by strong winds, a forest fire broke out on the afternoon of the 29th in the western province of Izmir. The provincial governor stated that firefighters, supported by specially modified planes, fought the blaze, and five areas in Seferihisar District had to be evacuated.
In France, wildfires in the Corbières area of Aude, in the southwest, forced preventive evacuations from a campsite and a monastery. Temperatures locally soared to 40 degrees Celsius.
In Greece, firefighters had already been battling a forest fire south of the capital Athens last week, which forced some local evacuations.
According to the French Meteorological Agency’s forecasts, 84 of the country’s 101 departments will be under orange alert—the second-highest heat warning level—on the 30th, a record number.
Spain’s national weather agency reported that in the southern and southwestern areas of Extremadura and Andalusia, temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius on the 29th.
In Italy, 21 cities—including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Catania—are under extreme heat alert.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere pointed out that in Portugal’s southern half, including the capital Lisbon, a red warning for high temperatures will remain in effect until the night of the 30th.