Risks of forest fires because climate change feeds the extreme heat wave in southern Europe | Climate crisis news

Local authorities have issued new warnings against the risk of forest fires and urged people to take refuge, while southern Europe is undergoing the first severe heat wave of summer and experts connect the growing frequency and intensity of the flambé of climate change temperatures.

Acute heat waves have been recorded in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal throughout the weekend and Sunday, with inhabitants and tourists fighting against stifling conditions.

The ambulances were also on standby near tourist hot spots.

Two -thirds of Portugal were on Sunday alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires, temperatures in Lisbon should exceed 42C (107F).

In Lisbon, the 39 -year -old pharmacist, Sofia Monnteiro, told the AFP news agency that despite people to “do not go out” during the hottest hours of the day, “we have already had some cases of heat and burns”.

Several regions of the southern half of Portugal, including Lisbon, are under a red warning until Monday evening due to “extremely high maximum temperature values,” said the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).

Much of Portugal was also on alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires – just like the Italian island of Sicily, where firefighters approached 15 flames on Saturday.

In Italy, a few regions – Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria – planned to ban certain outdoor work activities during the hottest hours of the day in response to record temperatures. Italian unions have prompted the government to extend these measures at the national level.

On Sunday, the Italian Ministry of Health ranked 21 of the 27 cities monitored under its highest heat alert, including the best holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples.

According to Mario Guarino, vice-president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine.

“We have seen approximately an increase of 10%, mainly in cities that have not only very high temperatures but also a higher humidity,” he told AFP.

They are mainly elderly people, patients with cancer or homeless, with dehydration, stroke, fatigue. »»

Greece was again on forest alert with the heat wave that expected to continue throughout the weekend.

A large forest fire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, forcing evacuations and road closings near the old Temple of Poseidon.

The Greek authorities deployed 130 firefighters, 12 planes and 12 helicopters to fight the fire, while the police evacuated 40 people, with five areas under evacuation orders.

In Spain, the inhabitants and tourists were desperately attempted to stay in the fridge, because temperatures reached up to 42c (107F) in the city of southern Seville as well as other places in the southern and central parts of the country.

The southern Spain regions have recorded temperatures above seasonal averages, encouraged health alerts and authorities’ safety recommendations. The country’s National Meteorological Agency (AEMET) said that June should break another record, becoming the hottest month since the records start.

The “urban heat island” effect

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common in the region of southern Europe due to global warming.

A Lancet’s public health study published last year stressed the growing risk of heat -related deaths due to climate change. The study predicted that heat -related deaths could more than quadruple by the middle of the century as part of current climatic policies.

While more people die from cold than heat, the study has stressed that the increase in temperatures will compensate for the advantages of the milder winters, resulting in a significant net increase in heat -related mortality.

Scientists say that climate change links warmer and more intense heat waves, especially in cities where the so-called “urban heat island” effect amplifies temperatures among tight buildings.

“Heat waves in the Mediterranean region have become more frequent and more intense in recent years, with peaks of 37 degrees (Celsius, 100F) or even more in cities, where the urban effect of the heat island increases even more temperatures for environmental protection and research (ISPRA).

Experts have warned that intense heat can affect daily life, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children.

Local authorities advised any physical activity during the hottest hours of the day and recommended drinking a lot of liquids.