Thousands have fled forest fires caused by the heat wave in France, Spain, Portugal and Greece. The highest possible heat warning was issued in Britain for the first time.
Ilmari Reunamäki,
Anna Näveri
The effects of climate change can be seen all over Europe, as more frequent, more intense and longer heat waves than before have caused strong forest fires during the current week.
Thousands of people have already had to flee their homes from approaching forest fires. The fires have caused the most extensive damage so far in France, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
The European Union’s emergency management service Copernicus announced on Friday that a large part of southern Europe is currently at extreme risk of forest fires.
In Spain, many villages have been evacuated due to forest fires
In Spain, many areas have experienced many days of temperatures above 40 degrees. The Spanish Environment Ministry announced on Friday that there are at least 17 active forest fires in the country.
In western Spain, many villages have been completely evacuated. The city of Monsagro, for example, is under special threat, which is threatened by a spreading forest fire. The fire started in the Monfragüe National Park, which is the habitat of many rare bird species.
Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute said on Thursday that at least 43 people had died in the first two days of the heatwave on Sunday and Monday. Due to the continued heat, there are probably more people who have died from the heat.
A Finn witnessed the spread of a wildfire in Malaga
At half day on Friday Antti Kajander watched on the beach in Malaga, Spain, as smoke began to rise from the mountain slopes in the direction of Mijas Pueblo.
– At first, only a little smoke was visible. Then it really raged and the flames started to spread like lightning, Kajander describes.
There are a lot of firefighting helicopters and firefighting planes.
– Taivaanranta is full of smoke, but the flames are no longer burning.
The airline Finnair is informed that the wildfires on the Iberian Peninsula have not affected flights so far.
Also, according to Finavia, which operates the airports, there were no changes in flight schedules due to wildfires at 4 p.m.
Aurinkomatki reports that the wildfire that started in the mountains in the Mijas area has not caused any danger to customers, as Aurinkomatki’s customers stay on the coast.
– We monitor the situation and inform our customers if necessary, says Marika Kortesalmi from Aurinkomatko and Finnair’s communications. Aurinkomatki currently has 300 customers on the Spanish Sunshine Coast.
A temperature of 47 degrees was measured in Portugal
A temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was measured in Portugal on Thursday, the all-time record for a temperature measured in July in mainland Portugal.
There were more than 30 active forest fires in Portugal on Friday morning. More than 300 square kilometers of forest have burned this year, which is more than the entire year of 2021 combined.
In Portugal, the health authorities have recorded 238 unusual deaths in the period between July 7 and 13. Officials believe the deaths are due to extremely hot and dry conditions, which especially affect the health of the elderly, children and those with chronic diseases.
In France, more than 4,000 residents were evacuated from the vicinity of Bordeaux
In France, more than 1,000 firefighters are trying to control two forest fire areas near the city of Bordeaux.
In France, more than ten thousand people have fled forest fires in the Gironde department in southwestern France in recent days.
The police have evacuated more than 4,000 residents in the southwestern part of the city of Bordeaux.
Director of the French National Union of Firefighters Gregory Allione warned that the effects of climate change are already visible in civil protection.
– The situation is very difficult. Morale among our troops is still good, but fatigue sets in quickly. This is why we are trying to support 250,000 volunteer firefighters, the head of the French National Federation of Firefighters Gregory Allione spoke to the RMC Découverte TV channel.
Allione also warned that the effects of climate change are already making civil protection more difficult.
– Firefighters and rescue authorities struggle with these issues every day – these are not effects that will be visible in 2030, but are affecting right now, Alllione said.
In Greece, concern about a forest fire near Athens
In Greece, warm weather and strong and dry wind have increased the risk of forest fires. On the island of Crete and the region of Attica – which also includes the capital Athens – authorities have urged residents not to do anything that could cause sparks.
Still, forest fires have already been detected in both areas. Especially the villages located southeast of Athens are under the threat of evacuation.
Customers who arrived on a holiday flight from the travel agency TUI are currently vacationing in Greece. TUI’s Finnish or Nordic customers have not had to change their travel plans due to the fires.
– There was a wildfire in Samos, which has now been extinguished. Admittedly, it was not close to our resorts and no one had to change hotels in our resorts, says TUI Finland’s communications manager Laura Aaltonen.
“Red” heat warning in Britain
Britain, known for its mild and rainy climate, is also in the grip of a heat wave.
The British Meteorological Institute, the Met Office, estimates that the temperature in the country will exceed 40 degrees in the coming days with a 50 percent probability. Britain’s heat record is 38.7 degrees Celsius, which the Met Office estimates has an 80 percent chance of being exceeded.
Due to the heat, the Finnish Meteorological Institute issued the highest ever, i.e. red warning for extreme heat in parts of England for the first time.
According to the warning, exceeding the limit of more than 40 degrees can cause danger to life for people other than those belonging to risk groups.
According to the warning, heat can also cause material damage and affect traffic and energy transmission, for example.
In addition to the countries mentioned above, intense heat and wildfires were reported from at least Italy, Croatia, Morocco and Turkey.