Scorching temps ahead: Meteorological agency alerts nearly half of France about the upcoming heatwave - Hot Summer Alert in France: Meteorological Authority Warns of Scorching Temperatures Across Nearly Half the Nation
Heatwave and Wildfires Ravage Southern Europe
A severe heatwave and drought have been wreaking havoc across France, Spain, and Greece, leading to a surge in wildfires that are proving challenging for emergency services.
In France, the weather service Meteo-France has issued a heat warning, with temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F) for an extended period. The heatwave, which began on June 19, is expected to last at least a week beyond July 4, and possibly continue through the end of July. Another heatwave is predicted to last until the end of next week in France.
The ongoing heatwave, coupled with strong winds and persistent drought, has led to an increase in wildfires in France. Since Tuesday, a wildfire near Carcassonne and Narbonne has destroyed 13,000 hectares of land. The fire, located on the French Mediterranean coast, is causing concern, given the ongoing heatwave in the region. Despite the efforts of firefighters, the wildfire is not yet contained.
The wildfire situation in France is particularly severe this year, with the number of wildfires almost tripling compared to 2024. The fires are described as fierce, fast-moving, and unpredictable, exacerbated by earlier wet spring conditions that increased vegetation growth, now fueling fires during the dry summer.
Spain is also heavily affected, with regions such as Castilla y León, Galicia, Zamora, and Cáceres bearing the brunt of the wildfires. Hundreds of thousands of hectares have burned in just days, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents and disruption of major road and rail services. The crisis is particularly critical in Jarilla (Cáceres) with 700 evacuees, and in Ourense (Galicia), where multiple fires have burned approximately 20,000 hectares.
The situation in Greece is also dire, with the country experiencing extreme temperatures and severe drought. Although specific recent wildfire details in Greece were not extensively detailed in the sources, the country is listed among those enduring extreme heat that fuels such fires, along with Turkey and parts of southern Europe.
The ongoing wildfire crisis in these countries is linked to long-term cuts in forest management and fire prevention budgets. In Spain, for instance, these budgets have been reduced significantly since 2009.
The heatwave and wildfires are not just a concern for France, but other European tourist regions such as Spain and Greece are also on high alert. The risk of the wildfire in southern France spreading in some areas remains high, and emergency services are involved in managing the situation over the weekend.
As the heatwave continues, the potential for more wildfires remains a significant concern for the affected regions. Meteo-France does not expect an all-clear for the wildfire in southern France before Sunday evening. The ongoing crisis serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change and the need for increased investment in forest management and fire prevention measures.
[1] Climate Change News
[2] The Guardian
- The ongoing heat wave in France, as indicated by Meteo-France, is expected to continue until at least July 11, and could extend beyond that, potentially leading to more wildfires.
- In addition to France, the news of wildfires, accidents, and fires has been prevalent in Spain and Greece, causing the evacuation of thousands of residents and disrupting major road and rail services.
- General-news sources report that the ongoing wildfires and heat wave are not just a concern for these countries' emergency services, but also for weather forecasters and climate change news outlets, highlighting the need for increased investment in fire prevention measures and forest management.
