(Photo by Alizada Studios/Shutterstock via Euro Weekly News)
Fires broke out in Turkey and France, while other countries are on alert, as Europe endures a brutal heatwave, according to weather specialists.
The countries most affected are Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal, with temperatures nearing or topping 40C (104F). As European heatwaves continue, wildfires are erupting across multiple countries. Emergency services across the continent are battling to contain the blazes, and the fires have already consumed thousands of hectares, forcing mass evacuations.
In Turkey, a major fire tore through the tourist resort of Foça in İzmir province, urging the evacuation of 500 residents. While in France, wildfires broke out in the Corbières area of Aude in the southwest, where temperatures soared past 40°C. The fire prompted the evacuation of a campsite as a precaution.
Authorities across Europe urged people to seek shelter and protect the most vulnerable from the summer’s first major heatwave and advising them to stay indoors during peak hours and avoid outdoor work. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere issued red warnings for Portugal’s southern regions, including Lisbon, where the temperatures are expected to exceed 42°C.
Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying the frequency of heat waves in Europe. Experts also warned that intense heat can significantly impact daily life, particularly for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children. They also note that rising global temperatures are increasing the risk of wildfires. Scientists fear these extreme weather events will only become more destructive in the years ahead.
The heatwaves show no signs of easing, and authorities are warning that more wildfires may appear in the days ahead. While southern Europe braces for more intense conditions, emergency services and residents remain on high alert. Local governments brace for what could be one of the most challenging summer seasons in years.