Thousands of firefighters battled wildfires in France, Portugal and Spain on Friday amid scorching heatwaves as Britain braced for “extreme” heat in the coming days.
Parts of southwest Europe are experiencing their second heatwave in weeks as scientists say such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
In Portugal, five central and northern regions were on red heatwave alert on Friday and almost the entire country remained on alert as more than 2,000 firefighters battled four blazes.
By late Thursday, the fires had killed one person and injured around 60. Almost 900 people were evacuated and several dozen houses were damaged or destroyed, the Portuguese authorities said.
Wildfires have destroyed 30,000 hectares of land this year, the largest area since the 2017 fires that killed around 100 people.
A fire broke out just across the Spanish border on Thursday near Monfrague National Park, a sanctuary known for its wildlife.
In Extremadura, where the park is located, thousands of hectares were burned this week.
In south-west France, flames have destroyed more than 7,000 hectares since Tuesday and forced the evacuation of 10,000 people.
A fire raged in pine forests near the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s highest sand dune and tourist magnet.
“I’ve never seen this before and you have the feeling that it’s really post-apocalyptic,” resident Karyn said Thursday shortly before the precautionary evacuation order of the village of Cazaux, near Dune du Pilat.
– record highs –
On Thursday, Portugal recorded its highest-ever July temperature of 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit). In central Spain, mercury hit 45.4C on Thursday, just below the all-time high of 47.4C recorded in August last year.
Temperatures of over 41C in parts of Portugal and 44C in parts of Spain on Friday were forecast on Friday.
Southern France, which hit 38C on Thursday, was expected to hit 40C on Friday and is bracing for more heat early next week.
The UK weather agency issued its first “red” warning of exceptional heat on Friday, forecasting record highs of 40C next week.
There is a 50 percent chance that temperatures will surpass 40C (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first time on Monday or Tuesday, according to the Met Office, and an 80 percent chance that the country’s previous record of 38.7C in the Year 2019 achieved is exceeded.
“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm, particularly in urban areas,” said Paul Gundersen, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist.
“This will likely result in widespread human and infrastructure impacts. This heat can have adverse health effects.”
A red warning is issued if “it is very likely that there is a risk of death with significant interruptions to travel, the energy supply and possibly extensive damage to property and infrastructure”.
British hospitals have already warned of a surge in heat-related admissions and train operators have told passengers to expect cancellations.
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