Italy puts nearly all major cities on highest heat alert as Europe battles wildfires

Italy's health ministry has placed nearly all of the country's major cities on the highest heat alert as a severe heatwave continues to grip the Mediterranean. In its latest bulletin issued on Saturday, the ministry said that by Monday, 25 of the country's 27 major cities will be under a 'red alert' – the highest level of warning.

Only Reggio Calabria in the southern tip of Italy's 'boot' and Messina, across the strait on the island of Sicily, will remain on the second-highest 'amber' alert. The ministry has urged residents in the affected areas to avoid direct sunlight and heat exposure between 11:00 and 18:00, stay indoors, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The extreme heat is being driven by a subtropical anticyclone from North Africa that is intensifying over the Mediterranean. The weather system has pushed temperatures above 40°C in several parts of Italy, raising concerns for public health and increasing the risk of wildfires.

Meanwhile, firefighting crews across Greece, France, Portugal, and Spain are battling blazes that have consumed thousands of hectares of land. In France, around 2,500 people were evacuated from the south-eastern Var region on Friday evening after a fire – which had been contained for several days – reignited, according to local officials. The massive fire in the south-western Gironde region is now under control, allowing some 200,000 evacuated residents to return to their homes.

In Greece, hundreds of people, mostly tourists, were evacuated by sea from a coastal town surrounded by wildfires raging across the country. In Spain, more than 200,000 hectares of land have burnt this year – roughly five times the average by this point in the year – while the burned area in Portugal is also higher than usual, according to EU data.

Scientists and climate services have pointed to climate change as a key factor driving higher temperatures and more intense heatwaves in Europe. The Copernicus Climate Change Service states that Europe is the fastest warming continent, heating up at twice the global average rate. This warming trend is leading to more frequent and severe summer heatwaves, greater pressure on water supplies, and more destructive wildfires across the region.

As southern Europe continues to swelter, authorities are advising people to stay hydrated, check on vulnerable neighbours, and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. With temperatures expected to remain high for several days, the situation demands continued vigilance and preparedness.