Extreme heat advisory issued across half of France by meteorological authorities
In the sweltering heat of a second heat wave event this year, France is bracing for temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius and dry, hot winds this Sunday, particularly in the south of the country. According to Météo-France, the French weather service, the heat wave is expected to peak at the start of the week.
The heat warning issued by Météo-France covers more than half of France, mainly affecting the center and south. This comes as hundreds of firefighters continue their battle against a massive forest fire that has been raging in southern France for over a week.
The Aude fire, which has burned about 16,000 hectares, has been a formidable challenge for the firefighting teams. The extreme heat, drought, and strong winds have made the fire's containment a prolonged and intense effort, involving thousands of personnel. As of now, around 2,150 firefighters are on the front lines, supported by 58 soldiers and civil security personnel.
The firefighting operations have been underway for nearly a week, and although the fire has been brought under control, there is still a risk that it could spread again in some areas. The intensity and scale of the fire, the largest in France since 1949, have required sustained efforts under challenging climatic conditions linked to global warming and drought.
Unfortunately, the fiery ordeal has taken its toll. Around 20 firefighters have been injured, and dozens of homes and vehicles have been destroyed. Coordination with emergency services was critical, as the fire threatened multiple municipalities and caused severe damage to infrastructure, including water and phone networks.
Other European tourist regions such as Spain and Greece are also on high alert for forest fires due to the heat, strong winds, and persistent drought. Since records began in 1947, France has experienced a total of 51 heat waves. As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, the frequency and severity of these events may continue to increase.
The community is urgently calling for an updated and comprehensive environmental policy, given the increasing frequency of heat waves like the current one, which have severe impacts on the local ecosystem and public safety, such as the ongoing forest fire in the south of France.
Scientists urge fisheries policy officials to consider the implications of climate-change on fisheries, as warmer temperatures could lead to shifts in fish populations and habitat, potentially destabilizing the current fisheries policy and the local fishing communities that depend on its success.
