The heat wave – which is described as one of the most serious in decades – has made the vegetation very dry and more and more forest fires are occurring. In Europe, this year’s June was the second warmest ever, according to EU researchers.
Yesterday, several countries measured temperatures of close to 45 degrees. Today the heat can be even stronger.
– It is expected up to 47 degrees in areas in Greece, Italy and Turkey. The heat record is now at 48 degrees and then there are quite small margins, meteorologist on duty, Pernille Borander, tells Dagbladet.
In recent days, temperatures in Greece have been between 42 and 45 degrees. It is expected that the heat wave will be long and intense.
A fire that hit the popular holiday island of Rhodes on Sunday is still burning on Monday, and there is no prospect that it will come under control in the first place due to drought and strong winds, the fire brigade says.
Greek Alexandra Holarou thinks the heat is extremely uncomfortable.
The 60-year-old store owner says that there are not many options for protecting against the heat.
– We were not prepared for this. We left Paris early today, it was 15 degrees, some tourists tell the newspaper.
According to the Greek fire bag, eight people have been hospitalized and around 20 homes burned down.
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– Does not give up right away
The heat wave is due to a stagnant high pressure that acts as a lid over the hot air, Meteorologists write on Twitter.
– The heat does not give in right away. Both Italy and Greece have issued a red warning for heat. There is a great danger of forest fires and the situation is very critical, says Borander.
Climate expert Tore Furevik is not surprised that temperatures continue to rise in Southeastern Europe.
– We see a pattern all over the world. There is only one solution – we must limit emissions. I hope this is a wake-up call for people. Temperatures are rising all over the world, Furevik has previously told Dagbladet.
He further emphasizes that temperatures are rising in almost the whole world, but a heat wave is not something we need to worry about here in Norway.
The prolonged heat wave has made the vegetation very dry, which has been good growth conditions for the forest fires that are now raging in Turkey, Spain and Italy.
– Heat and drought is a “cocktail” for forest fires, says Furevik.
On Sunday, more than 800 fires were registered in Italy. Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia, Calabria, Lazio and Campania are among the areas affected, writes The Guardian.
– The vegetation has been destroyed, shops and homes have burned down and animals have been killed, says Christian Solinas, president of the Sardinia region.