Several forest fires rage in France amid extreme heat
On Tuesday, several forest fires broke out in France amid an extreme heatwave, with hundreds of firefighters deployed. On Wednesday, a red alert was issued for 58 departments, an unprecedented scale.
On Tuesday, June 23, several forest fires broke out in France during an extreme heatwave. According to BFMTV, one fire started in the Lot-et-Garonne department in the southwest, scorching 87 hectares. More than 180 firefighters were involved in battling the blaze.
Another fire broke out further north, in a forest in the Maine-et-Loire department. The latest data indicates it covered 85 hectares. About 200 firefighters and dozens of vehicles were deployed at the scene.
Additionally, a fire in the Indre department burned 40 hectares of field near a forest, injuring two firefighters.
Tuesday was the hottest day in France in 79 years, since systematic national observations began. On Wednesday, a red heat warning was issued for more than half of the country—58 departments—an unprecedented scale. During the heatwave, 18 deaths have already been recorded linked to extreme temperatures.
Due to the heat, one nuclear power plant has suspended operations.
