France is bracing for its fourth heatwave in just two months, with Météo-France warning that temperatures could reach 40°C starting Tuesday as hot air pushes north from Spain and North Africa. Uncontrolled wildfires are already tearing through forests and villages near Bordeaux, while Spain battles blazes near Madrid and Valencia amid similar conditions.
The intense heat, driven by a persistent high-pressure block, is expected to last through the week with no rain in sight. French meteorologists say nothing comparable has occurred since 1945. The June heatwave contributed to the warmest June on record and was linked to nearly 6,000 excess deaths.
Scientists say the crisis is accelerating. World Weather Attribution concluded that heatwaves are growing more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to climate change, while the Climate Shift Index found next week's heat is five times more likely because of global warming. A strong El Niño is compounding the risk.