Europe is scorched by extreme heat, temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees, but the threat of the worst forest fires remains.

Europe is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave, where life-threatening temperatures and devastating forest fires are wreaking havoc in several countries across the continent, while temperatures have already exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Record-breaking heat is scorching cities from southern France to the Balkans, with temperatures in southern France reaching 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) on Monday.

According to Spain’s meteorological agency, temperatures could reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas this week.

Europe in the grip of extreme heat, new records in Spain and Portugal

The Italian Ministry of Health has issued a red alert for major cities including Bologna and Florence, high alert has been imposed in 16 cities, southern France and parts of the Balkans are also on red alert due to rising temperatures.

According to the British organization Carbon Brief, 2025 could be the second or third hottest year in the world, with Europe’s land temperatures having increased by about 2.3 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, which is almost twice the global average and this increase is increasing heatwaves and forest fires.

According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, about 2.4 million acres of land have burned so far this year, which is the highest in the last 19 years and double the average burning area, the 2025 figures are making this season the most extensive forest fire season in European history.

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