Heatwave Intensifies Across Southern Europe, Sparking Early Wildfires
From Venice to Lisbon, cities in Southern Europe are bracing for another day of high temperatures on Sunday, taking precautionary measures against the risk of wildfires that have already emerged in France and Turkey.
Wildfires in Turkey
On Sunday afternoon, forest fires were reported in the Izmir province of Turkey, fueled by strong winds, according to local media. Firefighters, supported by specially adapted aircraft, are battling the blazes. Five neighborhoods in the Seferihisar district were evacuated, as per the governor’s report.
Threat in Southern France
The Corbières area, located in the Aude region of southwestern France, is also facing the threat of wildfires. Temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius have aided the fire’s advance, leading to the evacuation of a campsite and an abbey as a precaution.
Extreme Heat in Spain and Portugal
Temperature peaks of up to 43 degrees Celsius are forecasted in several parts of Spain and Portugal.
Spain recorded its highest temperature since record-keeping began on Saturday, with the mercury hitting 46 degrees Celsius in El Granado, a southern Andalusian community. The previous record was 45.2 degrees Celsius, set in Seville in June 1965.
According to provisional records from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), some points in Extremadura and Andalusia reached 44 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Madrid also experienced a very hot day, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius.
Impact on Daily Life
Residents in Madrid, like 32-year-old photographer Diego Radamés, have noticed the unusual heat for the season. “I feel that the heat isn’t normal for these dates,” he told AFP. “As years go by, I feel that Madrid is getting hotter, especially in the central areas.”
Marta Bordonado, a 31-year-old teacher, echoed this sentiment: “This is the full effect of climate change. I believe we haven’t experienced anything like this in years.”
“My Mother Nearly Fainted”
In Italy, 21 cities are under maximum heat alert, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence, and Rome. Anna Becker, a British tourist visiting Rome, shared her experience: “We were supposed to visit the Colosseum, but my mother nearly fainted.”
Ambulances were stationed near tourist areas, ready for any emergencies. Several regions issued fire warnings.
Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society for Emergency Medicine, reported an increase in heatstroke cases at Italian hospitals.
Scientists emphasize that heatwaves are becoming more intense in cities due to urban heat island phenomena, which cause temperature spikes.
“Heatwaves in the Mediterranean region have become more frequent and intense in recent years, with peaks of 37 degrees Celsius or higher in cities,” said Emanuela Piervitali, a researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). “We can expect even higher temperature peaks in the future, so we must adapt to these increased heat levels.”
41 ºC in Lisbon
In Portugal, several areas in the southern half of the country will remain under red alert for heat until Monday night due to the potential “persistence of extremely high temperatures,” according to the IPMA website, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere.
Lisbon residents sought relief from the predicted 41-degree Celsius temperature.
“We advise people to stay cool, but we’ve still had cases of heatstroke and burns,” Sofia Monteiro told AFP.
In France, Minister of Ecological Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher highlighted that 84 departments are under orange alert for heat.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is causing the intense heatwave in Southern Europe? The heatwave is attributed to climate change, with urban heat island effects causing temperature spikes in cities.
- Which countries are experiencing wildfires? Wildfires have been reported in Turkey and Southern France, with heat-related precautions taken in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
- How are local authorities responding to the heatwave? Authorities are implementing measures such as evacuations, fire warnings, and increased emergency services to address the heatwave’s impacts.
- What are the predicted temperature peaks? Temperature peaks of up to 43 degrees Celsius are forecasted in various parts of Spain and Portugal.
- How are residents coping with the heat? Residents are seeking relief from the extreme heat, and there have been reported cases of heatstroke and burns.
