Heat wave in France: red warning level and ozone alarm in some regions - forest fire risk increases

Created: 06/17/2022, 17:24

By: Linus Prien

Heat wave in Toulouse: Temperatures should break the 40 degree mark.

(Iconic image) © IMAGO/Alain Pitton

In France, temperatures are currently rising relatively early, very sharply.

In neighboring Spain, the heat has already led to forest fires.

Toulouse - The unusually early, high temperatures in France this year continue to rise: 37 degrees were measured in Toulouse on Friday afternoon, with temperatures above 40 degrees expected to peak on Saturday (June 17).

The weather service spoke of the earliest heat wave since 1947. In neighboring Spain, which was also affected by the unusual heat, wildfires have already devastated thousands of hectares of land.

Heat wave in France: Retirement homes initiate additional protective measures

A heat warning has been issued for 37 out of 101 French departments.

There was a red warning level for twelve departments, and the students were given a heat-free break.

Ozone alerts were also declared in several regions, including the east of the country and the greater Paris area.

After the devastating heat wave in 2003, which killed around 15,000 people, the retirement homes in France in particular took additional protective measures: Among other things, the facades were sprinkled with water, drinks with ice cubes were distributed and it was ensured that the seniors stayed longer than otherwise stayed in air-conditioned rooms.

Heat wave in France: forest fire risk increases

The high temperatures are exacerbating the drought in the soil, which is already a major concern for farmers after a dry winter and spring.

This also increases the risk of forest fires.

In Spain, several fires have already devastated thousands of hectares of land.

In the Sierra del Culebra in the northwest of the country alone, up to 7,000 hectares were affected, and 200 people had to be brought to safety there as a precaution.

There were other fires in Catalonia.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez thanked the firefighters.

"It's impossible to deny: climate change is leading to extreme weather phenomena like the current heat wave," he explained.

Heat wave in France: United Nations warn of global droughts

According to scientists, the increase in heat waves is a direct result of global warming.

The intensity as well as the duration and frequency of these phenomena should increase.

The United Nations warned of an increase in droughts worldwide.

"More and more countries and people will be threatened by droughts," said Ibrahim Thiaw of the United Nations Environment Program to Combat Desertification (CNULCD) in Madrid.

Half of humanity could be affected by water shortages in the next eight years, Thiaw said.

He called on countries to take immediate action to prevent "humanitarian disasters".