Scorching temperatures sweep across Europe, heightening the risk of wildfire outbreaks
Europe Endures Record-Breaking Heatwave and Wildfires
A relentless heatwave has gripped Europe, causing temperatures to soar and triggering wildfires across the continent. The current heatwave has been particularly severe in Southern Europe and the Balkans, where temperatures have surpassed 40°C (104°F) in several regions.
The city of Budapest in Hungary recorded a city record at 38.7°C (101.6°F) on Sunday, while Bulgaria broke a national high of 39.9°C (104°F) in the southeast of the country, a record set in 1948. The EU's Copernicus climate service reports that heatwaves are being intensified by this warming, making Europe the world's fastest-warming continent, with land temperatures rising about 2.3°C above pre-industrial levels, nearly twice the global rate.
The wildfires have been particularly devastating. France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Sweden, Croatia, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and the Netherlands have all reported wildfires.
Large fires in the southern Aude region of France have spread over an area larger than Paris. In Spain, fires are burning tens of thousands of hectares, with evacuations near villages and heritage sites. Fires in eastern and southern Attica, Greece, have led to evacuation orders. Wildfires in western regions of Turkey are mostly under control.
Wildfires are also ongoing in Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Remarkably, wildfires have been reported outside the main Mediterranean zone in the Netherlands and North Macedonia, linked partly to dry conditions.
Firefighting efforts involve hundreds of firefighters, military units, and international cooperation through EU mechanisms to deploy aerial and ground support. More than 100 firefighters and emergency personnel are battling fires in Bulgaria, supported by army helicopters and two Swedish aircraft.
The heatwave is pushing northward, with temperatures forecast to reach 38°C (100.4°F) in the Centre-Val de Loire region and up to 34°C (93.2°F) in Paris. The UK's Met Office expects a heatwave to peak around 33°C in London on Tuesday, with the UK Health Security Agency issuing a yellow health alert for older adults and those with medical conditions.
However, the heatwave's impact has been tragic. A 4-year-old Romanian boy died after being found unconscious in a car in Sardinia.
EU data show burned area across the continent is far above the long-term average this summer, with major outbreaks in Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Three major fires continue along the borders with Greece and Turkey, including one near Strumyani that reignited after three weeks. A nationwide fire ban has been imposed in Bulgaria amid extreme heat and drought.
The heatwave is expected to last all week, carrying into the Aug. 15 holiday weekend in France. As Europe grapples with these extreme conditions, the focus remains on firefighting efforts and supporting those affected by the wildfires and heatwave.
[1] BBC News [2] The Guardian [3] The New York Times [4] CNN
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