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The Star
13 hours ago
- Climate
- The Star
Roundup: Southern Europe battles unrelenting wildfires amid heatwaves
ROME, July 28 (Xinhua) -- A wave of destructive wildfires has swept across Southern Europe in recent days, driven by scorching temperatures, strong winds, and prolonged drought. Emergency teams remain on high alert as experts warn of worsening climate conditions and rising fire risks. Portugal is battling major blazes in the north and center. A fire near Valongo in the Portalegre district was contained after burning vast vegetation. Three people, including two firefighters, were hospitalized from exhaustion. In Peneda-Geres National Park, a fire in Ponte da Barca remains active. Strong winds and rugged terrain hinder operations, with over 230 personnel, dozens of vehicles, and helicopters from Spain deployed. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued maximum fire danger alerts for most northern and central municipalities, with yellow weather warnings across mainland Portugal and Madeira. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are expected to persist. In Greece, over 50 wildfires broke out in 24 hours last week, affecting Attica, Evia, the Peloponnese, Kythera, and Crete. Thousands evacuated as homes and farmland were threatened. The European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism was activated, bringing support from Italy and the Czech Republic. Six firefighters were injured, and several engines were damaged. In Kythera, land and sea evacuations were carried out. Temperatures neared 46 degrees Celsius, with low humidity and high winds accelerating the fires. Authorities linked the worsening fire season to climate change and urged the public to avoid fire-triggering activities. Italy continues to fight wildfires, especially in Sicily, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. Fires between Trapani and Palermo destroyed homes and forced evacuations. In Partinico, seven blazes caused serious damage. Fires continue in Catania and eastern Sicily. A firefighter was hospitalized due to smoke. Bulgaria is facing over 260 active fires, most critically in the Strumyani region. Assistance arrived through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with planes from France, Slovakia, and Hungary, and more are expected from Sweden and the Czech Republic. Deputy Interior Minister Toni Todorov reported improved conditions but noted ongoing efforts. Two arson suspects were arrested. Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov blamed human negligence for most fires and warned against careless behavior. Temperatures in southeastern Bulgaria range from 30 to 41 degrees Celsius. Romania sent a Black Hawk helicopter to Bulgaria on Monday - its first foreign mission - to assist in firefighting operations there. And domestically, it battled fires in Prahova and Arges. Near Ploiesti, 50 hectares burned, threatening a paint factory. In Lunca Corbului, fires destroyed trees, vehicles, and farm structures. Drought and heat were key factors. In southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, wildfires near Trebinje were brought under control after three weeks. Helicopters dropped 650,000 liters of water. Rainfall has now stabilized conditions. Croatia reported 501 more wildfires than in last year, though the total burned area halved thanks to fast responses. Fire Chief Slavko Tucakovic noted fires are increasingly found in industrial zones, with 24 to 30 new ones daily. Climatologist Marcello Miglietta of Italy's Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate warned that without long-term action, the Mediterranean will remain highly vulnerable to seasonal fire disasters.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Fire alert in Portugal holiday hotspots
A number of districts in Portugal are currently on 'high alert' due to the heightened risk of wildfires, with the warning set to remain in place until the weekend Several areas across Portugal have been placed on the highest level of alert for wildfires, according to updates from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on Thursday, July 10. It comes just weeks after the country recorded its hottest temperature ever. The wildfire warning emphasised that residents in various areas in the North, Centre and Algarve regions should also be especially cautious as these areas will continue to be on high and medium alerts all weekend. Currently, Bragança, Guarda and Viseu, are the only areas on the maximum alert level, a significant climbdown from July 10 when over 20 municipalities faced the highest risk of wildfires. Bragança, increasingly popular with tourists, boasts a renowned medieval castle and is near the expansive Montesinho Natural Park. Guarda, the loftiest city in Portugal, offers breathtaking views. Viseu, known for its charming cobbled streets, serves as a gateway to the Dao wine region. Castelo Branco is recognised as part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. While the current warnings are anticipated to be downgraded over the weekend, by mid-July nearly half of Portugal is expected to be under the highest alert level. The IPMA categorises wildfire risks into five levels: low, moderate, high, very high, and highest. Earlier this week, the UK Foreign Office issued a warning about the dangers of wildfires in Portugal, as reported by the Mirror. The advisory cautioned: "There is an increased risk of wildfires from April to October when the weather is hot and dry. "Wildfires can start anywhere in Portugal. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The Portuguese authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons." With the risk level raised, even accidental fires could result in severe fines or imprisonment for those responsible. This ban extends to casual bonfires, barbecues, fire stoves, fumigation, and any use of rockets or balloons with live fuses. The Mirror highlighted that visitors heading to areas prone to wildfires in Portugal should: Follow the advice of the Portuguese authorities Dial 112 to alert emergency services if you spot a fire Get acquainted with local safety measures and emergency procedures Check the fire risk index for your location Portugal typically experiences heightened wildfire activity from April to October due to its hot, dry summer climate. Although there haven't been any major fires reported this year, the first half of the year saw over 3,000 fire incidents, resulting in more than 8,000 hectares of land being scorched. In late June, mainland Portugal experienced a record-breaking temperature of 46.6C, as reported by Euro News. The country's Directorate-General for Health has also noted 284 deaths during the current heatwave.
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
Heatwave causes excess deaths in Portugal as fires rage across Europe
Portugal has recorded 284 deaths during the ongoing heatwave, the country's Directorate-General for Health (DGS) has said. According to preliminary data from the DGS, more than 70% of the deaths, which occurred between 28 June and early July, were among people aged over 85. There is a potential risk that this number could climb further, with high-temperature risks predicted in the Alentejo region. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere has indicated that the current heatwave is expected to last until at least mid-week. Maximum temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius in the Douro and Tagus valleys, it warned. This comes after mainland Portugal recorded its hottest ever temperature in late June, when 46.6 degrees Celsius was logged in Mora, which lies around 100 kilometres east of the capital Lisbon. Meanwhile, authorities in neighbouring Spain have placed more than 18,000 residents in the north-eastern Tarragona province in lockdown as a wildfire continues to burn. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a fire on 1 July in the region of Catalonia, where Tarragona is located. This latest blaze started in the early hours of Monday in a remote area near the village of Pauls, where strong winds and rugged terrain have hampered firefighting efforts, authorities said. An emergency military unit was deployed early on Tuesday to help the more than 300 firefighters working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that strong winds were expected to ease by Tuesday afternoon. Red alerts in France France is also attempting to put out wildfires. At least 10 people — five civilians and five firefighters — have been injured in a blaze in the southern prefecture of Aude, which led to the partial closure of the A9 motorway. The road reopened on Tuesday morning but the fire "continues to spread," warned Colonel Christophe Magny, the director of the Aude fire service. The fire, which broke out on Monday at around 3 pm, is thought to have been started by "a cigarette butt thrown from a vehicle", according to Magny. Elsewhere, flights have been suspended at Marseille Airport because of a wildfire that is raging close to the southern French port city, local authorities said Tuesday. The prefecture told residents in the affected areas to stay indoors and off the roads. The French weather service Météo France said a further two departments — Var and Vaucluse — are also on red alert for possible forest fires. Hungary suffers from sudden shift in weather In Hungary, Monday's storm caused massive damage: the wind uprooted trees, downed power lines, paralysed rail traffic, and left 150,000 households without electricity. The wind blew off the roof of a building at the University of Szeged, and the tower of the church in Sápi collapsed. The storm caused further damage to the railway infrastructure on Tuesday. Hungarian Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár stated in a video that his ministry cannot guarantee the resumption of traffic on all lines today, as the repair work from yesterday's storm damage continued throughout the night. "Primarily, colleagues worked on freeing the main lines," said Lázár, who noted that it may take days if not weeks to restore traffic on electrified tracks. "We are struggling with huge problems and challenges on the Balatonfüred line and direction. But fortunately, Volán has so much bus capacity that several hundred buses complement the incomplete and difficult-to-use line network," he added. Following strong winds and heavy rainfall on Tuesday, the mercury is expected to drop even further on Wednesday, with an average daily temperature of 15 degrees in the capital. "On Wednesday morning, we may feel like we're in late autumn, with winds of 60–70 km/h or more heavy rain, while the temperature will feel close to 10 degrees," meteorologist László Molnár told domestic outlets. HungaroMet highlights that "on Tuesday afternoon, due to the storm system in the eastern border region, there is a renewed chance of damaging wind gusts above 90–110 km/h developing in a larger area." From fires to storms Meanwhile, a severe hailstorm ripped up trees and tore off roofs when it hit the Croatian port of Split on Tuesday morning. High winds and hail damaged the roof of the city's football stadium and caused a ferry to slip its moorings at the port. The boat then hit two other vessels, one of which sank. At least three people were injured in the storm, and material damage across the city was significant. Photos carried by Croatian media showed downed trees and flooded streets. This happened as hundreds of fires raged in neighbouring Serbia following a period of extremely hot weather across parts of the Balkan region. So far they have injured six people. Serbian firefighters battled more than 600 wildfires on Monday. At least three municipalities in southern parts of the country have declared emergency measures due to the fires. "Many villages were jeopardised. We have a number of burnt and damaged properties but we have managed to save many too," senior emergency official Nedeljko Gagić told public broadcaster RTS. The country has been hit by a severe drought this summer, which has endangered crops and led to restrictions in supplies of drinking water. Experts say that the extreme weather conditions currently gripping Europe can be linked to climate change.
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
Portugal records 284 excess deaths during heatwave
Portugal has recorded 284 deaths during the ongoing heatwave, the country's Directorate-General for Health (DGS) has said. According to preliminary data from the DGS, more than 70% of the deaths, which occurred between 28 June and early July, were among people aged over 85. There is a potential risk that this number could climb further, with high-temperature risks predicted in the Alentejo region. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere has indicated that the current heatwave is expected to last until at least mid-week. Maximum temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius in the Douro and Tagus valleys, it warned. This comes after mainland Portugal recorded its hottest ever temperature in late June, when 46.6 degrees Celsius was logged in Mora, which lies around 100 kilometres east of the capital Lisbon. Meanwhile, authorities in neighbouring Spain have placed more than 18,000 residents in the north-eastern Tarragona province in lockdown as a wildfire continues to burn. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a fire on 1 July in the region of Catalonia, where Tarragona is located. This latest blaze started in the early hours of Monday in a remote area near the village of Pauls, where strong winds and rugged terrain have hampered firefighting efforts, authorities said. An emergency military unit was deployed early on Tuesday to help the more than 300 firefighters working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that strong winds were expected to ease by Tuesday afternoon. Red alerts in France France is also attempting to put out wildfires. At least 10 people — five civilians and five firefighters — have been injured in a blaze in the southern prefecture of Aude, which led to the partial closure of the A9 motorway. The road reopened on Tuesday morning but the fire "continues to spread," warned Colonel Christophe Magny, the director of the Aude fire service. The fire, which broke out on Monday at around 3 pm, is thought to have been started by "a cigarette butt thrown from a vehicle", according to Magny. Elsewhere, flights have been suspended at Marseille Airport because of a wildfire that is raging close to the southern French port city, local authorities said Tuesday. The prefecture told residents in the affected areas to stay indoors and off the roads. The French weather service Météo France said a further two departments — Var and Vaucluse — are also on red alert for possible forest fires. From fires to storms Meanwhile, a severe hailstorm ripped up trees and tore off roofs when it hit the Croatian port of Split on Tuesday morning. High winds and hail damaged the roof of the city's football stadium and caused a ferry to slip its moorings at the port. The boat then hit two other vessels, one of which sank. At least three people were injured in the storm, and material damage across the city was significant. Photos carried by Croatian media showed downed trees and flooded streets. This happened as hundreds of fires raged in neighbouring Serbia following a period of extremely hot weather across parts of the Balkan region. So far they have injured six people. Serbian firefighters battled more than 600 wildfires on Monday. At least three municipalities in southern parts of the country have declared emergency measures due to the fires. "Many villages were jeopardised. We have a number of burnt and damaged properties but we have managed to save many too," senior emergency official Nedeljko Gagić told public broadcaster RTS. The country has been hit by a severe drought this summer, which has endangered crops and led to restrictions in supplies of drinking water. Experts say that the extreme weather conditions currently gripping Europe can be linked to climate change.
Daily Express
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Express
Ambulances on stand-by as southern Europe heatwave intensifies
Published on: Monday, June 30, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 30, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: A man uses an umbrella to shield himself from the scorching sun during the first heatwave of the year in Lisbon, on June 29, 2025. Starting this weekend southern Europe will once again face extreme temperatures exceeding 40°C. - Pic: Carlos Costa / AFP. ROME: Authorities across Southern Europe urged people to seek shelter Sunday and protect the most vulnerable as punishing temperatures from Spain to Portugal, Italy and France climbed higher in the summer's first major heatwave. Ambulances stood on standby near tourist hotspots and regions issued fire warnings as experts warned that such heatwaves, intensified by climate change, would become more frequent. Peaks of 43 degrees Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) were expected in areas of southern Spain and Portugal, and nearly all of France sweltered in an intense heat expected to last for several days. In Italy, 21 cities across the length of the country were on high alert for extreme heat, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence, Rome and Catania. 'We were supposed to be visiting the Colosseum, but my mum nearly fainted,' said British tourist Anna Becker, who had travelled to Rome from a 'muggy, miserable' Verona. Hospital emergency departments across Italy have reported an increase in heatstroke cases, according to Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine. 'We've seen around a 10-percent increase, mainly in cities that not only have very high temperatures but also a higher humidity rate,' he told AFP. It is mainly elderly people, cancer patients or homeless people, presenting with dehydration, heat stroke, fatigue.' 'Climate shelters' Hospitals such as the Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have set up dedicated heatstroke pathways to speed access to vital treatments such as cold water immersion, Guarino said. In Venice, authorities offered free guided tours for people over 75s in air-conditioned museums and public buildings. Bologna has set up seven 'climate shelters' with air conditioning and drinking water, Florence has called on doctors to flag up the lonely and vulnerable, Ancona is delivering dehumidifiers to the needy, and Rome has offered free access to city swimming pools for those over 70. In Lisbon, 39-year-old pharmacist Sofia Monnteiro said despite advising people 'not to go out' during the hottest hours of the day, 'we have already had some cases of heat strokes and burns'. French tourist Cedric Gerard, on holiday in the Portugese capital, said the heatwave was 'particularly intense this year'. 'It's hard to bear,' the 50-year-old added. Several areas in the southern half of Portugal, including Lisbon, are under a red warning until Monday night due to 'persistently extremely high maximum temperature values', said the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Two-thirds of Portugal was also on high alert Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires -- as was the Italian island of Sicily, where firefighters tackled 15 blazes Saturday. Invasive species Scientists say climate change is stoking hotter and more intense heatwaves, particularly in cities where the so-called 'urban heat island' effect amplifies temperatures among tightly packed buildings. 'The heat waves in the Mediterranean region have become more frequent and more intense in recent years, with peaks of 37 degrees or even more in cities, where the urban heat island effect raises the temperatures even further,' said Emanuela Piervitali, a researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). 'A further increase in temperature and heat extremes is expected in the future, so we will have to get used to temperatures with peaks even higher than those we are experiencing now,' she told AFP. The heat is also attracting invasive species, which are thriving in the more tropical climes. ISPRA launched a campaign this week urging fishermen and tourists alike to report sightings of four 'potentially dangerous' venomous species. The lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot and marbled spinefoot are beginning to appear in waters off southern Italy as the Mediterranean warms, it said. In France, experts warned that the heat was also severely hitting biodiversity. 'With this stifling heat, the temperature can exceed 40 degrees in some nests,' said Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, president of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO). 'We are taking in birds in difficulty everywhere; our seven care centres are saturated,' he added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
