Europe heatwave latest: Wildfires rip through Greece as France, Spain and Italy brace for record temperatures
Wildfires have ripped through Greece as Europe is braced for extreme temperatures of up to 40C in some popular holiday hotspots.
Warnings are in place for cities including Paris and Rome over the weekend and into next week as the continent is hit by a heatwave.
Five villages south of Athens were evacuated on Thursday after a large wildfire, fanned by strong winds, raged near the capital.
The fire department has deployed 90 firefighters, supported by eight water-dropping planes and five helicopters, to battle the inferno.
Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon warned that southern and western Europe was experiencing a heatwave which was also extending into southeastern parts of the continent.
'Temperatures are expected to be 5-10C above normal fairly widely in Europe, with the potential for a few locations to reach around 40C in the southeast,' he said.
'[This could be] possibly even higher across parts of Iberia from Friday, likely challenging some June records,' Mr Dixon added.
France issues orange alert for 'stifling' heatwave
Paris is facing a heatwave from Monday, with temperatures peaking at 39C on Tuesday and forecasters urging caution for people who have to be outside for longer periods of time.
Mr Nicholls said those temperatures at this time of year for Paris were not common, last occurring in 2022.
In the south of France, temperatures are expected to reach 40C in some areas and authorities have issued a severe fire risk warning and an orange alert for extreme heat for nine departments across central- and south-east France by Saturday.
In inland areas of those departments, temperatures could climb to 42C, Le Parisien reports.
Meteo France warned that high surface temperatures on the Mediterranean Sea could also affect overnight minimum temperatures, 'making nights more stifling during the heatwave'.
Alexander Butler27 June 2025 15:12
Spanish and Portuguese temperatures to exceed 40C
Temperatures in Spain began to rise sharply on Friday, with heatwave conditions expected to continue until at least Tuesday with extremely high temperatures potentially reaching 42C in parts of the country, according to Spain's meteorological office.
'Very high and persistent temperatures are expected, both during the day and at night, which could pose a risk to exposed and/or vulnerable people,' the agency said.
In the Canary Islands, temperatures could reach as high as 36C on Saturday, while inland Mallorca will occasionally reach 38C.
Also on the Iberian peninsula, Portugal's weather forecaster has issued an orange warning for extreme high temperatures over the weekend.
Temperatures in Lisbon and central Portugal are forecast to exceed 42C by Sunday and the high 30s in southern parts of the country.
Alexander Butler27 June 2025 15:09
Pictured: Water planes tackle wildfires in Greece
Alexander Butler27 June 2025 15:07
Wildfire rips through Greece as heatwave sets in
Urgent evacuation orders have been issued for five communities south of Athens as a large wildfire, fanned by strong winds and exacerbated by Greece's first summer heatwave, rages near the capital.
The blaze broke out on Thursday in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area, with temperatures soaring close to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
The fire department has deployed 90 firefighters, supported by eight water-dropping planes and five helicopters, to battle the inferno.
Reportedly originating within a populated area, the flames have sent thick plumes of smoke billowing across the sky, with local television footage showing at least one house already consumed by the blaze.
As a precautionary measure, the coast guard has positioned two patrol boats and nine private vessels on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area, ready for a potential evacuation by sea. A lifeboat is also en route to assist with any maritime rescue operations.
Alexander Butler27 June 2025 15:02
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