Another Week of Extreme Heat in Europe: Evacuations Due to Forest Fires in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and Greece

Southern Europe is bracing for intensified and dangerously high temperatures as the current heatwave exacerbates the climate crisis. The hot air from Africa remains in place, and high-pressure conditions persist, resulting in ongoing heat accumulation in the seas, land, and air.

Italy, Spain, and Greece have already been enduring scorching heat for several days, but the European Space Agency warns that the heatwave is only beginning.

Italy:

Italy's Ministry of Health introduced a new protocol called "Protect Yourself from Heat" for emergency departments on Tuesday, according to a statement. The temperature in many cities across the country is expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Starting today, a total of 20 Italian cities will be on the red list with a very high health risk due to the intense heat. Sardinia is expected to register a record-breaking 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) today.

Spain:

The country is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to rise further in the coming days. According to meteorologists, temperatures in Madrid will be below 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, gradually dropping below 30 degrees Celsius by the end of the week, before rising again over the weekend. Forest fires on La Palma in the Canary Islands, which started on Saturday, have spread across 4,650 hectares (11,490 acres), destroying 20 houses and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people, according to Reuters.

Greece:

Greece has seen temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in recent days. Authorities were forced to close the Athens Acropolis last Friday and again over the weekend. More than 500 firefighters are battling over 80 wildfires raging across the country, including four major ones.

Switzerland:

Swiss police evacuated several mountain villages on Monday evening due to the spread of a forest fire. Approximately 200 firefighters, as well as the army, police, and other partners, worked to extinguish the flames in the canton of Valais throughout the day, but it continued to burn. Forecasts indicate that this territory has been affected by the same Mediterranean heat that has hit southern Europe, and temperatures in certain parts of the canton of Valais will exceed 30 degrees Celsius this week.

Scientists have been warning for decades that the climate crisis will amplify severe heatwaves, which have already been among the deadliest weather events.

Recall that thousands of people were evacuated due to fires on La Palma in Spain during the recent heatwave. Italy and Greece have also declared extremely hazardous weather conditions for the health of local residents and tourists.

Earlier, NASA declared June 2023 the hottest month on record.