Heat waves across Europe are bringing record temperatures and dangerous, widespread wildfires. Southern European countries like Spain, Greece, and Portugal are being hit especially hard. But summer heat waves have also caused problems in Northern Europe and elsewhere around the globe.
Europe has been struggling with intense and dangerous heat this summer. An earlier heat wave led to Europe’s hottest June ever, with record-setting temperatures, including a June high in Portugal of 115.9° Fahrenheit (F) (46.6° Celsius (C)). The heat has created a situation that is unhealthy, and sometimes deadly, for the people living there.
The heat waves have dried out plants and forests, creating conditions that allow wildfires to start easily and spread quickly. Wildfires in Europe have burned through more than 2,00 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) of forest so far this year. That’s more than twice the average for this time period. Smoke from the fires has brought poor air quality to many European countries, adding to the health risk.
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Heat waves across Europe are bringing record temperatures and dangerous, widespread wildfires. Southern European countries like Spain, Greece, and Portugal are being hit especially hard. The heat has created a situation that is unhealthy for the people living there.
Spain has probably been hit the hardest. The country’s current heat wave is now entering its third week. The heat wave has brought temperatures of up to 111ºF (44ºC).
Roughly half of the area lost to wildfires in Europe this year has come from Spain. Spain is currently fighting 20 major forest fires, and is sending soldiers to help its fire fighters. Around 27,000 people have been forced from their homes. Other European countries, such as France and Germany have offered Spain help in battling the blazes.
Greece has over 4,500 fire fighters working to control blazes around the country and its islands. More fires are breaking out regularly. Portugal has been fighting wildfires since late July. So far this year, Portugal has lost 835 square miles (2,160 square kilometers) of forest to the fires. Romania has also been hit extremely hard by wildfires. So have Italy, France, and Bulgaria.
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Spain has probably been hit the hardest. The country’s current heat wave is now entering its third week. The heat wave has brought temperatures of up to 111ºF (44ºC). Roughly half of the area lost to wildfires in Europe this year has come from Spain. Above, fire fighters fight a blaze in Galicia.
Even Northern European countries that are normally cool during the summer have experienced heat waves. Countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland were hit by a long heat wave in July. Temperatures didn’t get as high as they did in Southern Europe. But they were high enough to trigger health concerns and increase wildfires. In Finland, temperatures were above 86ºF (30ºC) for over 22 days, setting a record.
Turkey, which lies partly in Southern Europe, has also seen wildfires and record heat this summer. In late July, temperatures reached a record 123ºF (50.5ºC). In nearby Middle Eastern countries, such as Jordan and Israel, the temperature has often reached 104ºF (40ºC) or higher during the day recently. And at night, in some areas, the temperatures did not drop below 95ºF (35ºC).
(Source: [CC BY-SA 4.0], European Union.)
It’s too early to say how much of this summer’s European heat waves and wildfires are due to climate change. But scientists say that higher temperatures, droughts, and more large, powerful wildfires are expected as global warming continues.
Bob Ward works for a group at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom that studies climate change. Speaking of this summer’s heat, he said, “This is what climate change looks like.”
Did You Know…?
It’s not just Europe. Countries worldwide, including those in Africa, Asia, and the Americas have been experiencing heat waves. States across the US and provinces in Canada have faced heat waves this summer. Many states are still dealing with extreme temperatures.