An intense early summer heatwave has gripped large parts of Europe, triggering wildfires in Turkey and France and prompting mass evacuations and health warnings across the continent. Over 50,000 people have been evacuated, including more than 42,000 from Turkey’s Izmir province, where fires have raged for a second consecutive day.
In France, blazes erupted in the southwestern Aude department as temperatures soared past 40°C, burning 400 hectares and forcing evacuations from a campsite and a historic abbey. While the fires are now under control, authorities have placed 84 out of 101 departments under an orange heatwave alert, with temperatures expected to peak midweek.
Also Read: Thousands Evacuate in Turkey as Early Heatwave Sparks Wildfires Across Europe
Health warnings have also been issued in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands, where high humidity is expected to worsen the heat. Samantha Burgess from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service noted that temperatures are 5–10°C above seasonal norms, typical of late July or August rather than June.
In Spain, where June may break temperature records, parts of the country like Seville and El Granado saw highs of 42°C and 43.7°C respectively. Italy issued red alerts in 16 cities, with regions like Lombardy considering banning outdoor work during peak heat hours in response to trade union pressure.
From tourists at the Colosseum to fans at Wimbledon, people across Europe are seeking shade and relief. Experts warn that such extreme weather patterns are becoming more common due to human-induced climate change.
