France: Forest Fires Amid Extreme Heat Scorch 900 Acres, Thousands Displaced

Sudden, ferocious wildfires broke out across several locations in France amid an intense heatwave, engulfing a large area and reducing more than 900 acres of land to ashes. As a result, around 3,000 local residents and tourists from nearby towns and residential areas were urgently evacuated to safe locations.
As of this report, firefighters and rescue teams are working to contain the blaze using heavy machinery and aircraft. France’s meteorological department, Météo-France, has forecast a new heatwave next week, though experts say it will not be as severe as the one that struck in June.
The current heatwave, ongoing since June 20, has gripped several European countries, forcing museums and educational institutions to shut down early. According to Arab media reports, more than 191 million people faced temperatures of at least 35°C or higher on Friday. Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, and western Ukraine are among the worst-affected countries.
Over 2,000 Heat-Related Deaths
France’s health minister has revealed that more than 2,000 people died in the country over the course of a week due to the severe heatwave. According to news agencies, the minister said the death toll in France had reached 2,025 and was likely to rise further. He added that the mortality rate was higher among people over the age of 12 (as stated in the report).
Other European Countries Also Affected
Last week, the heatwave claimed at least 3,700 lives across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands combined — including 1,200 deaths in Belgium and 480 in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, BFMTV reported that, anticipating another heatwave, around 1,000 air conditioning units will be delivered to Paris hospitals by Saturday.