Heatwaves sweeping across Europe have pushed temperatures above 40°C in some countries. Authorities are urging caution as dry conditions, strong winds and heatwaves threaten wildfires.
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As summer temperatures continue to climb across Europe, multiple wildfires and extreme heatwaves have erupted in various regions across the continent.
A heatwave in Turkey pushed temperature past 40 degrees Celsius, creating dangerous conditions. Wildfires broke out in Izmir, Bursa, Tekirdag, Sakarya and Adana, prompting emergency responses.
Ground and aerial firefighting teams were deployed to combat the blazes. Efforts faced a tragic setback in Adana after a firefighting aircraft crashed while attempting to scoop water from a nearby dam. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.
In Greece, many Athenians rushed to the beaches as the year’s first major heatwave hit the country.
The heat there will intensify through to Friday, peaking at around 40-41 degrees Celsius inland. The heatwave is expected to last until the end of the weekend when temperatures are forecast to ease.
Tourists and locals in both Spain and Portugal are bracing themselves for the heat this weekend as temperatures there are also set to soar. Portugal could see extreme temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius.
The Portuguese weather service issued a hot weather warning for all of continental Portugal. A yellow warning was issued for most of the country and orange for some inland regions at particular risk of high temperatures.
Tourists in the nations’ capitals of Madrid and Lisbon stuck to the shade and drank cold drinks to deal with the heat.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid activities that could spark additional fires, warning that dry conditions and strong winds may continue to fuel the flames.