Another Heatwave Threatens Europe as EU Warns of Increase in Wildfires

A new wave of high temperatures is expected to further worsen the wildfire situation in Europe. This week, temperatures in some parts of France could reach up to 40 degrees Celsius.

According to French authorities, weather conditions are expected to hamper efforts to tackle the massive wildfires near Bordeaux, where firefighting crews are working to bring the flames under control.

Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for France’s National Federation of Firefighters, said completely extinguishing the fire would require several consecutive days of heavy rain.

Hadja Lahbib, the European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management, warned that the damage caused by wildfires in Europe could exceed previous records. She said that last summer, flames engulfed one million hectares, while another historic record is expected this time because the wildfire season began earlier.

Lahbib also stressed that forecasts of another heatwave increase the risk of new fires breaking out in the coming days and weeks.

Extreme temperatures, drought and strong winds have fueled the spread of numerous wildfires across Europe this summer, forcing thousands of people to evacuate threatened areas.