Europe Heatwave Fuels Wildfires, Triggers Alerts France, Portugal, Italy

A severe heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with temperatures soaring up to 43°C in southern France, triggering rare red heat alerts and increasing wildfire risks, especially in wine country and Mediterranean regions. France is battling a massive blaze in the Aude department that burned 16,000 hectares and remains under control but not fully extinguished, while Portugal faces multiple wildfires threatening villages with hundreds of firefighters deployed and heat warnings in place. Italy's iconic Mount Vesuvius area is closed to tourists as wildfires have scorched about 500 hectares, with firefighting efforts continuing intensely. The UK is also experiencing its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to peak around 33°C in London, prompting health alerts for vulnerable groups. Across southern Europe, including Greece, Spain, Croatia, and Serbia, heatwaves and strong winds have driven numerous wildfires, stressing emergency services and power grids. Climate scientists warn that Europe is warming almost twice as fast as the global average, with 2025 predicted to be one of the hottest years on record, exacerbating risks of extreme heat and wildfires.