Heat wave scorches parts of Europe
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With major outbreaks in Spain, Portugal, and deadly blazes in Greece since late June, the burned area is already far above the seasonal norm.
On Monday, the French national weather authority, Météo-France, placed 12 departments on red alert, the country's highest heat warning, anticipating exceptional heat stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean plains. 41 other departments were under lower-level orange alerts, as was the neighboring microstate of Andorra, between France and Spain.
'Don't be fooled — this isn't 'normal, it's summer.' It's not normal, it's a nightmare,' agricultural climatologist Serge Zaka told broadcaster BFMTV from Montauban in France's Tarn-et-Garonne department, where the blistering heat pressed relentlessly throughout the day.
Social media images showed shuttered streets in Valence, residents shielding windows with foil to reflect the light, and tourists huddling under umbrellas along the Garonne in Toulouse. Across the south, café terraces stood empty as people sought cooler corners indoors.
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In France's Aude department, a patchwork of vineyards and Mediterranean scrubland, hundreds of firefighters remained in the rolling wine country guarding the edges of a massive, deadly blaze that scorched 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) last week. Officials say the fire is
The red alert in France has been issued only eight times since it was created in 2004, after a deadly summer the year before. It is reserved for extreme, prolonged heat with major health risks and the potential to disrupt daily life. The designation gives local officials powers to cancel outdoor events, close public venues, and alter school or summer camp schedules.
The heat wave, France's second of the summer, began Friday and is expected to last all week, carrying into the Aug. 15 holiday weekend. It is already pushing northward, with 38 °C (100.4 °F) forecast in the Centre-Val de Loire region and up to 34 °C (93.2 °F) in Paris.
Across the English Channel, the U.K.'s Met Office expects the country's fourth heat wave of the summer to peak around 33 °C (90 °F) in London on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow health alert for older adults and those with medical conditions.
Montenegro reported wildfires near the capital, Podgorica, and along the Adriatic coast, prompting urgent appeals for help from neighboring countries. Families were evacuated from an area north of the capital as army units worked to protect the ruins of the ancient city of Duklja.
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Senior emergency official Nikola Bojanovic described the situation as 'catastrophic,' with strong winds driving the flames. Authorities urged residents to conserve drinking water to avoid restrictions.
Fires also burned above Canj, a popular coastal resort.
Bosnia's southern city of Mostar reached 43 °C (109 °F), while Croatia's Dubrovnik hit 34 °C (93 °F) in the morning.
'It's too hot, this is not normal,' said Fatima Safro, a resident of Mostar. 'It's very hot even during the night.'
In Serbia, farmers on Suva Planina mountain renewed appeals for emergency water supplies for livestock after streams and ponds dried up.
In Bulgaria, temperatures were expected to exceed 40 °C (104 °F) on Monday at the day's peak, with maximum fire danger alerts in place.
Nearly 200 fires have been reported; most have been brought under control, localized, and extinguished, but the situation remains 'very challenging,' said Alexander Dzhartov, head of the national fire safety unit. Three major blazes continue along the borders with Greece and Turkey, including one near Strumyani that reignited after three weeks.
More than 100 firefighters and emergency personnel are battling flames in rugged terrain unreachable by vehicles, supported by army helicopters and two Swedish aircraft.
In Turkey, a wildfire fueled by high temperatures and strong winds forced authorities to evacuate holiday homes and a university campus and to suspend maritime traffic in the country's northwest.
The fire broke out in an agricultural field in the province of Canakkale and spread into surrounding forestland, just two days after firefighting teams had contained a similar blaze in the area. Canakkale Governor Omer Toraman said the Dardanelles Strait — the narrow waterway linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara — was closed to allow water-dropping planes and helicopters to operate safely.
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Sunday brought a new national high of 39.9 °C (104 °F) on Sunday in the southeast, breaking a record set in 1948. Budapest also recorded a city record at 38.7 °C (101.6 °F).
Authorities imposed a nationwide fire ban amid extreme heat and drought.
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Boston Globe
6 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Heat wave scorches parts of Europe
Land temperatures have risen about 2.3 °C above preindustrial levels, nearly twice the global average, intensifying heat waves and driving record fire seasons. Advertisement With major outbreaks in Spain, Portugal, and deadly blazes in Greece since late June, the burned area is already far above the seasonal norm. On Monday, the French national weather authority, Météo-France, placed 12 departments on red alert, the country's highest heat warning, anticipating exceptional heat stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean plains. 41 other departments were under lower-level orange alerts, as was the neighboring microstate of Andorra, between France and Spain. 'Don't be fooled — this isn't 'normal, it's summer.' It's not normal, it's a nightmare,' agricultural climatologist Serge Zaka told broadcaster BFMTV from Montauban in France's Tarn-et-Garonne department, where the blistering heat pressed relentlessly throughout the day. Social media images showed shuttered streets in Valence, residents shielding windows with foil to reflect the light, and tourists huddling under umbrellas along the Garonne in Toulouse. Across the south, café terraces stood empty as people sought cooler corners indoors. Advertisement In France's Aude department, a patchwork of vineyards and Mediterranean scrubland, hundreds of firefighters remained in the rolling wine country guarding the edges of a massive, deadly blaze that scorched 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) last week. Officials say the fire is The red alert in France has been issued only eight times since it was created in 2004, after a deadly summer the year before. It is reserved for extreme, prolonged heat with major health risks and the potential to disrupt daily life. The designation gives local officials powers to cancel outdoor events, close public venues, and alter school or summer camp schedules. The heat wave, France's second of the summer, began Friday and is expected to last all week, carrying into the Aug. 15 holiday weekend. It is already pushing northward, with 38 °C (100.4 °F) forecast in the Centre-Val de Loire region and up to 34 °C (93.2 °F) in Paris. Across the English Channel, the U.K.'s Met Office expects the country's fourth heat wave of the summer to peak around 33 °C (90 °F) in London on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow health alert for older adults and those with medical conditions. Montenegro reported wildfires near the capital, Podgorica, and along the Adriatic coast, prompting urgent appeals for help from neighboring countries. Families were evacuated from an area north of the capital as army units worked to protect the ruins of the ancient city of Duklja. Advertisement Senior emergency official Nikola Bojanovic described the situation as 'catastrophic,' with strong winds driving the flames. Authorities urged residents to conserve drinking water to avoid restrictions. Fires also burned above Canj, a popular coastal resort. Bosnia's southern city of Mostar reached 43 °C (109 °F), while Croatia's Dubrovnik hit 34 °C (93 °F) in the morning. 'It's too hot, this is not normal,' said Fatima Safro, a resident of Mostar. 'It's very hot even during the night.' In Serbia, farmers on Suva Planina mountain renewed appeals for emergency water supplies for livestock after streams and ponds dried up. In Bulgaria, temperatures were expected to exceed 40 °C (104 °F) on Monday at the day's peak, with maximum fire danger alerts in place. Nearly 200 fires have been reported; most have been brought under control, localized, and extinguished, but the situation remains 'very challenging,' said Alexander Dzhartov, head of the national fire safety unit. Three major blazes continue along the borders with Greece and Turkey, including one near Strumyani that reignited after three weeks. More than 100 firefighters and emergency personnel are battling flames in rugged terrain unreachable by vehicles, supported by army helicopters and two Swedish aircraft. In Turkey, a wildfire fueled by high temperatures and strong winds forced authorities to evacuate holiday homes and a university campus and to suspend maritime traffic in the country's northwest. The fire broke out in an agricultural field in the province of Canakkale and spread into surrounding forestland, just two days after firefighting teams had contained a similar blaze in the area. Canakkale Governor Omer Toraman said the Dardanelles Strait — the narrow waterway linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara — was closed to allow water-dropping planes and helicopters to operate safely. Advertisement Sunday brought a new national high of 39.9 °C (104 °F) on Sunday in the southeast, breaking a record set in 1948. Budapest also recorded a city record at 38.7 °C (101.6 °F). Authorities imposed a nationwide fire ban amid extreme heat and drought.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lawyer shares rules on leaving work if it's 'too hot'
A lawyer has shared the rules around working in heat as the Met Office predicts high temperatures across the UK. Some areas may reach 33C on Tuesday, August 12, with mercury remaining high for much of the week. In some countries, there is a legal limit defined in Celsius when it comes to working conditions. READ MORE: Three counties in England set to escape 34C heatwave arriving this week READ MORE: Man lived in flat with ex-girlfriend's dead body for years For example, in Qatar, workers on buildings cannot continue construction work when the outdoor temperature hits 50C. Read More: Man shoved and slashed on Birmingham street In the UK, there's a recommended minimum temperature for a workplace, which is 16C or 13C if employees are doing physical work. However, there is no set maximum temperature clearly defined in the law in the UK - but you might still be able to leave work early, according to PGM Solicitors. This is because employers are expected to have 'reasonable responsibility' to keep a workplace at an acceptable working temperature for people's health. A spokesperson for the firm said: "Many employees believe there is a maximum workplace temperature set by the law which, once reached in the summer, means they're entitled to be sent home from work. Unfortunately this is not the case – yet. "The Trades Union Congress wants to make it illegal to keep people at work indoors if the temperature is above 30C and protection in place for people working outside or driving for a living too. "The good news is that there are still rules that can let you leave an office that is too hot." PGM goes on to quote the TUC, which says: "An employer must provide a working environment which is, as far as is reasonably practical, safe and without risks to health. In addition, employers have to assess risks and introduce any necessary prevention or control measures." The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment, The Express reports. Regulation 7 deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. When defining reasonable, you need to take into consideration the nature of the workplace such as a bakery, a cold store, an office or a warehouse." PGM continues: "There are six basic factors an employee should look at including air temperature, radiant temperature (i.e. the temperature radiating from warm objects), air velocity, humidity, and what clothing or insulation workers are expected to wear. "The law also states that if 'a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort' then it's the employer's responsibility to carry out a risk assessment, and act on its results, adjusting the workplace temperatures: If your office is air-conditioned, the employer must assess things if 10 per cent of staff complain If your office is not air-conditioned, 15 per cent must complain In shops and warehouses 20 per cent of staff need to complain The Health and Safety Executive says about the hot conditions: "A meaningful maximum figure cannot be given due to the high temperatures found in, for example, glass works or foundries. "The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. Regulation 7 deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. "However, the application of the regulation depends on the nature of the workplace, such as a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse."
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Child dies in Italy as European heatwave sets records and sparks wildfires
A young boy died of heatstroke in Italy while wildfires threatened a UNESCO site in Spain and French cites saw record temperatures, as a heatwave baked Europe on Monday. The four-year-old Romanian boy died days after being found unconscious in the family's car in Sardinia. The boy was airlifted to a Rome hospital but died of irreversible brain damage, the hospital told AFP on Monday. The news came as Italy's health ministry issued a red alert warning for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence. Some 11 Italian cities are on red alert for Tuesday, and 16 cities on Wednesday, while around 190 firefighters and the army continue to tackle a wildfire on Mount Vesuvius that caused the closure of the national park to tourists. - UNESCO site damaged - Wildfires damaged a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in northwestern Spain and forced evacuations in three Balkan countries as high temperatures fanned by strong winds left parts of Europe in flames. Spanish firefighters struggled to contain a wildfire that damaged a Roman-era mining site in Las Medulas and prompted hundreds of residents to evacuate. High temperatures and winds of up to 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph) created "many difficulties", said Juan Carlos Suarez-Quinones, the Castile and Leon regional environment minister. "We will not allow people to return until safety in their communities is absolutely guaranteed," he told reporters, estimating that about 700 people had been displaced. Four people, including two firefighters, suffered minor injuries, he added. The blaze broke out on Sunday near Las Medulas, an area famed for its striking red landscape. Spain has been in the grip of a heatwave for the past week, with temperatures nearing 40C in many areas and fuelling wildfires. Castile and Leon alone has seen 13 fires in the past three days, according to Suarez-Quinones, who said that some were believed to have been deliberately started. In neighbouring Portugal, firefighters were battling three large wildfires in the centre and north of the country. - 20 arrested in Albania - People were evacuated from dozens of homes in the Balkans as firefighters battled blazes in Albania, Montenegro and Croatia, where red alerts were announced. In Albania, hundreds of firefighters and soldiers had subdued most of the nearly 40 fires that flared up in the last 24 hours, according to the defence ministry, but more than a dozen were still active. Fires continued to burn in the southern coastal area of Finiq, around 160 kilometres south of the capital, where about 10 people were evacuated and several homes were razed on Sunday night, according to local media. Since the start of July, nearly 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) have been scorched nationwide, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). Police allege that many of the blazes were deliberately lit, with more than 20 people arrested in recent weeks. Just outside the capital of neighbouring Montenegro, where temperatures soared to 40C, fire crews managed to save dozens of homes when a blaze broke out in inaccessible terrain on Monday, the commander of the Protection and Rescue Service, Nikola Bojanovic, told media. In Croatia, around 150 firefighters also spent the night defending homes from a blaze near the port city of Split. In the northwestern Turkish province of Canakkale, more than 2,000 people were evacuated and 77 people received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation after several fires broke out around the tourist village of Guzelyali, authorities said. Several homes and cars caught ablaze, according to images shown on Turkish media, while more than 760 firefighters, 10 aeroplanes, nine helicopters and more than 200 vehicles were deployed to battle the flames. Turkey had just experienced its hottest July since records began 55 years ago. - French records - Temperature records were broken in at least four weather stations in southern France, as the government called for vigilance. The southwestern city of Bordeaux hit a record 41.6C while all-time records were also broken at meteorological stations in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint Girons, according to the national weather service, Meteo France. The heatwave, the country's second this summer, began on Friday and was forecast to last possibly until August 19 or 20. On Monday, 12 French departments were placed on red alert, the country's highest heat warning, with four more expected on Tuesday. bur-bc/rmb
