Southern Europe is facing a new heat wave, with several countries already battling forest fires caused by high temperatures and ongoing drought.
In Spain and Portugal, temperatures are reaching more than 40 degrees, both countries are already fighting forest fires. Since the end of June, Spain has registered 250 large fires, which have destroyed a total of almost 82 thousand. hectares of forest - almost the same area as was destroyed in the entire previous year.
Firefighters in Portugal on Monday brought under control two forest fires that have ravaged the central part of the country, where a state of emergency is in place due to continued heat. The fires have left 27 people slightly injured and seven homes and two agricultural buildings have been damaged in recent days, civil protection chief Andre Fernandes said. "There is currently no active large fire, but the situation is serious," he added at a press conference.
The most serious fire occurred on Thursday in the city of Ourem, located 130 kilometers north of Lisbon. It covered about 2 hectares of vegetation, and after it was brought under control, about 000 firefighters remained in the area to prevent the fire from reigniting. A fire that broke out in the neighboring commune of Pombal on Friday and destroyed 600 hectares was also brought under control on Monday morning, with 560 firefighters on duty.
Portugal has been suffering from high temperatures since Thursday, with some regions forecast to exceed 45 degrees Celsius this week. "We will experience the highest risk conditions in the coming days," said Prime Minister Antonio Costa. "The slightest loss of vigilance can result in a large-scale fire."
The Portuguese government has declared a national "state of emergency" to strengthen emergency services and their powers in emergency situations. Lisbon also asked the European Union to activate the civil protection mechanism, two firefighting planes from Spain have already been sent to Portugal. "The country is better prepared today" than in 2017, when more than 100 people died in forest fires, Costa said, as he canceled a visit to Mozambique in response to the crisis.
Drought problems also arise in Italy, as lakes and rivers in the north dry up due to insufficient rainfall. A state of emergency has been declared in five northern regions, with some cities turning off fountains or rationing water. In the south, fire brigades are called to control more and more forest fires. Civil defense is facing an intense forest fire season.
Temperatures of almost 40 degrees are also expected in France this week. Firefighters are also battling numerous wildfires, with more expected due to the drought. Some forest areas are closed, and the city of Nîmes has canceled fireworks planned for July 14, a national holiday, as a precaution. Some smaller communities face problems with drinking water supplies.
In Greece, the situation has eased after a long drought and many fires earlier this month. Last weekend, it rained heavily in almost all regions of the country. However, it is predicted that after July 18 temperatures will rise above 40 degrees, especially in the south.
Britain's Met Office has issued a heat warning for large parts of the country this week, with temperatures expected to rise to 30C, which could cause health problems for young and old alike.
Germany is also experiencing very dry weather, which has led to small forest fires in recent days.
Viljama Sudikiene (DPA)
