Wildfires Continue in France, Spain, and Portugal... 'Excess Deaths' Also Rising
Yellow Alert in France, Red Alert in UK with Public Transport Use Advised Against
The scene of a wildfire near Landiras in southwestern France. Photo by the Gironde Regional Fire Department, France, AP Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] As a heatwave swept through southwestern Europe, wildfires broke out and deaths surged, prompting countries to take emergency measures.
According to foreign media including the AP on the 16th (local time), more than 12,000 people evacuated from wildfires in the Gironde region of France by the morning, and about a thousand firefighters were engaged in extinguishing the fires. The reported forest damage expanded from 7,300 hectares (73 km²) on the 15th to 10,000 hectares (100 km²) by the morning of the 16th.
In Spain, wildfires also occurred amid a heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 45.7 degrees Celsius. Near the Mijas area, a large wildfire forced about 3,000 people to evacuate urgently. The fire burned 7,400 hectares (74 km²) of forest.
Additionally, the week-long heatwave caused 360 deaths. According to Spanish health authorities, excess deaths due to the heatwave in June were counted at 829. Excess deaths refer to the number of deaths exceeding the expected deaths during a specific period.
Portugal has long been suffering from wildfire damage. The local state broadcaster RTP reported that from early this year to mid-last month, forest damage reached 39,550 hectares (395 km²). This is more than three times the area compared to the same period last year, with two-thirds of the damage occurring in the past week. Portugal also recorded 238 excess deaths due to the heatwave from the 7th to the 13th.
Climate experts explained, "This year, the soil has become unusually dry, causing large summer wildfires in Europe to arrive earlier than usual," adding, "Large wildfires are mainly caused by extreme heatwaves resulting from climate anomalies."
As damage from the scorching heat continues, countries have issued unprecedented heatwave warnings.
In France, out of 96 regions nationwide, 38 regions are under an Orange heatwave warning. The Orange warning is the second highest level, following the Red warning.
The UK has issued the highest alert level, a Red warning. CNN described this as equivalent to a 'national emergency' level.
In the UK, there was even a recommendation to avoid using public transportation. Andy Lord, Director of Transport for London (TfL), warned, "Exceptional heat is expected throughout next week, so Londoners should avoid using the city’s transport network unless travel is essential."
Furthermore, Lord stated, "Temporary speed restrictions will be implemented on all subway and rail services." This is due to the extreme heat potentially damaging power lines and signaling equipment. He also advised drivers not to drive during the hottest times of the day.
Nikos Christidis, a meteorologist at the UK Met Office, said in a statement, "We hoped not to reach this situation," and forecasted, "The likelihood of the UK experiencing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius is ten times higher now than under natural climate conditions."
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