French firefighters have been mobilized to combat early summer wildfires as 84 of the country’s 101 administrative areas are now on a heatwave alert starting tomorrow and lasting through midweek.
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In the Aude region of southwestern France, wildfires erupted in the Corbières area, where temperatures reached a staggering 40°C. This situation prompted precautionary evacuations of a campsite and an abbey.
The national weather service, Meteo-France, reported that the south of the country experienced temperatures in excess of 40°C, with many areas seeing highs from 35°C to 38°C. Notably, Grospierres registered a noteworthy 40.9°C, Vinsobres reported 40.1°C, and Cadenet reached 39.9°C.
As we prepare for peak temperatures expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of departments under an orange alert—signifying the second-highest alert level—will increase to 84, with predictions of highs up to 41°C.
Festival-goers at the Les Deferlantes event found relief by being sprayed with water amid the soaring temperatures.
An interministerial crisis meeting aimed at evaluating heatwave guidelines has been convened, with particular emphasis on health concerns, as stated by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau during an interview with BFMTV. As a precautionary measure, some cities have already opted to close schools for the start of the week.
This heatwave extends across southern Europe, reaching countries like Italy and Portugal. In Portugal, Lisbon and several regions are under a red alert, with authorities advising residents to find shelter and be cautious, particularly with vulnerable populations.
Ambulances remain on standby near popular tourist spots, amid fire warnings as experts continue to emphasize the growing frequency of such heatwaves exacerbated by climate change. In Spain, El Granado hit a scorching 46°C just yesterday.
The current heatwave is the result of a “heat dome,” a strong anticyclone that effectively traps warm air and blocks cooler systems from entering the region.
In Italy, 21 cities are on high alert due to extreme heat, including major cities like Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence, and Rome. British tourist Anna Becker, who was visiting Rome from a “muggy, miserable” Verona, succinctly put it, “We were supposed to be visiting the Colosseum, but my mum nearly fainted.”
Hospital emergency departments across Italy have reported an increase in heatstroke cases, according to Mario Guarino, Vice President of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine. “We’ve seen around a 10% increase, mainly in cities with very high temperatures and elevated humidity,” Guarino explained. “It’s primarily elderly individuals, cancer patients, and the homeless who are showing symptoms of dehydration, heat stroke, and fatigue.”
As people seek relief from the heat, cities are adapting. Hospitals like Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have established dedicated pathways for heatstroke treatment, while Venice offers complimentary guided tours for seniors in air-conditioned venues. Bologna has introduced seven “climate shelters” equipped with air conditioning and drinking water, and Florence is urging healthcare providers to assist the vulnerable. In Rome, free access to city swimming pools is now offered for those over 70.
Scientists stress that climate change is contributing to more frequent and severe heatwaves, particularly in urban areas where the “urban heat island” effect exacerbates heat. Emanuela Piervitali, a researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), shared, “The heatwaves in the Mediterranean region have become more frequent and intense in recent years, with temperatures peaking at 37°C or higher in cities. A further increase in temperature and heat extremes is expected, so we must brace ourselves for even higher peaks in the future.”
In Portugal, the southern half of the country, including Lisbon, is under a red warning for heat until tomorrow night due to “persistently extremely high maximum temperature values,” as per the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Two-thirds of Portugal is on high alert for extreme heat and forest fires, mirroring the situation in Sicily, Italy, where firefighters tackled multiple blazes just yesterday.
Experts in France have cautioned that the current heatwave is significantly impacting biodiversity. “In this stifling heat, temperatures can exceed 40°C in certain nests,” warned Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, President of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO). “Our seven care centers are currently overwhelmed as we take in birds in distress.” Additionally, warmer conditions are encouraging the proliferation of invasive species in these regions. ISPRA has even initiated a campaign urging fishermen and tourists to report sightings of four “potentially dangerous” venomous species now appearing off the southern coast of Italy.
As we continue to navigate these extreme weather conditions, it’s imperative to remain informed and safe, prioritizing health and community well-being.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
