According to Maxar Technologies Inc. In Madrid, temperatures are expected to reach just under 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days, which is more than 6 degrees higher than the normal temperature for the season. Red and orange heat alerts are still in effect in parts of Germany and France.
Fires are still raging in some parts of southeastern Europe, with dry and hot weather providing ideal conditions. According to the Fire Department, the forest fires that broke out on Saturday morning in Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece are still burning, and 13 villages had to be evacuated in the past two days because of the fire. EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said in a post on X.
Another fire broke out in the central Greek region of Viotia on Monday, prompting authorities to evacuate a beach and two villages, and a shepherd was found dead after trying to save his animals. A separate fire also broke out on the island of Evia on Monday, which firefighters are trying to contain before it spreads.
This week, in addition to temperatures approaching 40 degrees, strong winds could make it difficult for firefighters. An emergency fire alert was placed in three regions, including Athens, on Monday, and a state of enhanced alert is being activated in 10 more regions.
On the other hand, the risk of rural fires in northern and central Portugal and the Algarve tourist hub is “very high or extreme”, according to the country’s National Disaster and Civil Protection Authority. The temperature can rise up to 44 degrees Celsius.
Next week, according to the forecast, relief will come, and it may be cooler than usual in the big city at this time. Maxar said in London, Berlin and Rome, as well as in other cities, it will be more than 2 degrees Celsius lower than what would be considered average at this time.
Cover photo credit: Anton Petrus via Getty Images
