Brutal heat across southern Europe has forced roughly 30,000 people to flee wildfires in France and Spain, with a marine heatwave leaving parts of the Mediterranean Sea 5C hotter than normal.
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Thousands of people are being evacuated from areas of southern France as firefighters battle large wildfires, according to Al Jazeera. The blazes come amid an extreme heatwave sweeping across southern Europe.
The Guardian reported that brutal heat has forced about 30,000 people to flee wildfires in France and Spain, as a marine heatwave scalds the Mediterranean. Researchers cited by the outlet warned that “Dantesque” scenarios cannot be ruled out as the infernos worsen.
A “particularly intense” wildfire on France’s southwestern Atlantic coast prompted the evacuation of more than 18,800 people, including thousands of tourists from campsites and holiday homes, as firefighters struggled to control the blaze, according to the Guardian.
In Spain, authorities declared a national emergency around Madrid, the Guardian reported, with air temperatures above 44C expected in parts of the country.
The heat has also been felt at sea. According to the Guardian, a marine heatwave has left some parts of the Mediterranean Sea 5C hotter than normal, intensifying the conditions driving the fires.
Earlier reporting from the Guardian had put the number of people forced to flee wildfires in France at more than 20,000 before the figure rose across the wider region. The situation remained fluid as firefighters continued to work to bring the blazes under control.
Why it matters
Wildfires and record heat are displacing tens of thousands of people and straining emergency services across southern Europe during peak tourist season. The scale of the evacuations and the marine heatwave underline how extreme temperatures are increasingly threatening communities and holidaymakers alike.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have been evacuated?
According to the Guardian, about 30,000 people have fled wildfires in France and Spain, with more than 18,800 evacuated from a single intense wildfire on France's southwestern Atlantic coast.
How hot is it getting?
The Guardian reported that air temperatures above 44C were expected in Spain, and some parts of the Mediterranean Sea were 5C hotter than normal due to a marine heatwave.
Has an emergency been declared?
Yes. According to the Guardian, Spain declared a national emergency around Madrid as the extreme heat continued.
Timeline
- Thousands flee wildfires in France and Spain as temperatures reach extreme levels in southern Europe
The Guardian World: Spain declares national emergency around Madrid, as marine heatwave sees some parts of Mediterranean Sea 5C hotter than normal Brutal heat torching southern Europe has forced about 30,000 people to flee wildfires in France and Spain as a marine heatwave scalds the Mediterranean a
- Thousands flee wildfires in France as temperatures reach extreme levels in southern Europe
The Guardian World: Some parts of Mediterranean Sea 5C hotter than normal, with air temperatures above 44C expected in Spain Europe live – latest updates Brutal heat torching southern Europe has forced more than 20,000 people to flee wildfires in France, as a marine heatwave scalds the Mediterranean
- Thousands forced to evacuate as wildfires sweep across southern France
Al Jazeera: Thousands of people are being evacuated from areas of southern France as firefighters battle huge wildfires.