The ongoing heat wave and drought are currently demanding emergency services in Mr. and Mrs. Austria’s popular holiday destinations. Forest fires are raging in Italy, France, Greece and Croatia. The problem is only getting worse as temperatures of up to 40 degrees are expected in Italy and France in the coming days. Temperatures are also rising in Austria – but such peaks are not expected.
In Italy, firefighters have recently been deployed in forest and forest fires, for example in South Tyrol, Tuscany and in and around Rome. There has been an extreme drought for weeks. The government has already declared a state of emergency in five northern regions along the Po River due to the drought. Other regions could follow, as Agriculture Minister Stefano Patuanelli said in parliament on Wednesday evening. An increased warning level for forest fires is still largely in effect in Sicily and Sardinia on Thursday.
Soils in France dry out again after rainy June
In France, meteorologists expect a drought record at the end of July. Although there were storms in many places in the second half of June with a lot of rain, the effect has largely disappeared – and the ground dries out again. The fire brigade on the Atlantic coast is currently fighting a large-scale forest fire in the pine forests south of Bordeaux.
On the island of Samos there was fighting all night
A large forest fire is raging for the second day in a row in the west of the Greek island of Samos. Firefighters and volunteers fought the flames all night, the fire service said Thursday morning. Several cities were evacuated on Wednesday evening. By daybreak, the fire fighting helicopters and planes would have resumed work. A helicopter crashed into the sea on Wednesday while extinguishing the fire. Two of the four occupants were killed in the accident.
fans in Spain is currently a bestseller
Meanwhile, fans in Spain are selling like hot cakes: according to media reports, sales in Bilbao in the north of the country have increased by more than 50 percent. In 16 of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain, the heat alarm should continue on Thursday, in some of these regions even red alarms.
Also in Croatia, firefighters fought a forest fire near the Dalmatian town of Sibenik on Wednesday that hit two villages on the Krka Riviera, which is popular with holidaymakers. The residents of Zaton and Raslina were taken to safety by boats across Stubalj Bay. The situation is worse than it has been in ten years, the civil defense said.
In Austria, up to 35 degrees is expected on Thursday and 38 degrees for the coming week.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
