Heat spreads to France as Mediterranean wildfire risk increases

MARSEILLE – South-east France is forecast to join neighbouring Spain and Italy in reaching 40 deg C on July 19, with wildfire risks set to reach the most extreme levels.

Forecasts show areas around Marseille in the wildfire danger zone next week, while Italy and Spain are also on high alert. Greek firefighters tackled 52 blazes in the 24 hours through early in the evening on July 18, while another erupted overnight on its northern border.

Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of heatwaves,

triggering extreme weather events

from storms and floods to droughts and wildfires. Greece and the Balkans have been the hardest hit parts of Europe so far this summer, but a blast of Saharan air is now extending over much of the Mediterranean.

Spain is expected to have its hottest day of the week, with areas around the city of Cordoba in the south climbing to as high as 43 deg C.

Greece is forecasting similar maximum temperatures over the mainland through the weekend.

Two planes are helping to contain a forest fire that started in Krania on Mount Paiko, near the border with North Macedonia. More aircraft and a helicopter are tackling a blaze in the Rodopis region of north-east Greece.

The Italian Ministry of Health warned of emergency heatwave conditions in 17 cities on July 19, including Rome, Florence and Palermo. That is pushing up demand for air-conditioning, boosting gas and power prices.

London is forecast to reach a high of 31 deg C on July 19, in what could be the hottest day of this year so far. Temperatures are expected to cool significantly over the weekend. BLOOMBERG