Forest fires, health warnings, and record-breaking temperatures sweep the continent from Spain to Turkey
Europe is reeling under an intense and prolonged heatwave that has triggered forest fires, health emergencies, and travel disruptions across several nations. A so-called “heat dome” stretching from France, Portugal, and Spain to Turkey has led authorities to raise high-alert warnings, as soaring temperatures continue to threaten lives, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
UN warns heatwaves are the new normal as temperatures top 46°c across southern Europe
In Turkey’s Izmir province, forest fires fueled by strong winds and dry weather engulfed parts of the Doganbey region, damaging holiday homes and prompting the evacuation of four villages. The Izmir airport was temporarily shut down, while firefighting crews battled blazes threatening the coastline.
Meanwhile, in Portugal, seven of the country’s 18 districts were placed under red heat warnings as the nation recorded a June temperature high of 46.6°C, putting almost all inland areas at extreme risk for wildfires.
Across France, where air conditioning remains uncommon, both national and local governments were mobilizing efforts to protect vulnerable groups such as the homeless, elderly, and outdoor workers. Tourists, too, were forced to alter plans due to the oppressive heat.
“We were going to do a bike tour today actually, but we decided because it was gonna be so warm not to,” said Andrea Tyson, 46, a visitor from Ohio, USA, while in Paris.
In Italy, the health ministry raised the alarm with 21 cities placed under “red alert”, signalling emergency conditions even for healthy individuals. Authorities in Liguria and Sicily imposed temporary bans on outdoor labor during peak heat hours to avoid heatstroke and exhaustion among workers.
Southern Germany was not spared either, with temperatures expected to reach up to 39°C by midweek. Several towns imposed restrictions on water usage, limiting withdrawals from rivers and lakes to conserve resources.
From Spain’s 42°C forecast in Seville—where UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned, “Extreme heat is no longer a rare event – it has become the new normal”—to central Europe’s creeping mercury levels, scientists and leaders continue to urge urgent action on climate change.
Guterres added, “The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous — no country is immune.”
While rain is expected to bring some relief later this week, the persistent heat has underscored Europe’s increasing vulnerability to climate-driven weather extremes, prompting both governments and citizens to brace for hotter summers ahead.
