France Enacts Measures Amidst Severe Heatwave
The French government implements safety measures as a severe heatwave affects 84 departments.
Key Points
- • Heatwave alert extended to 84 departments; temperatures may reach 41°C.
- • Crisis meeting held to discuss health measures; some schools to close afternoons.
- • Partial work ban in Bouches-du-Rhône's forest massifs to prevent fire risks.
- • Local authorities advise on coping measures for vulnerable populations.
As France experiences an intense heatwave, the government has announced a series of public safety measures to protect citizens and mitigate risks. According to Météo-France, the heatwave alert has now been extended to 84 departments, with temperatures expected to soar between 34°C and 40°C, and potentially reaching as high as 41°C in some areas by early July 2025.
In response to this severe weather, a crisis meeting led by the Ministry of the Interior was convened to establish health measures, particularly targeting vulnerable groups. The Ministry of Education has also taken steps, allowing for the closure of schools during peak heat hours. For example, cities like Tours are shutting down their schools in the afternoons to shield children from the excessive heat, which is recognizable as the 50th national heatwave since 1947, reasoned largely by climate change.
Furthermore, from June 30, work will be partially banned in 20 forest massifs within the Bouches-du-Rhône region. Activities are restricted to the early morning hours, only from 5 AM to 1 PM, with mandates for fire prevention measures in place. This regulation is a precaution against potential fire outbreaks, following alarming reports of health risks posed by extreme temperatures impacting wildlife and human populations alike. Public access to detailed maps of the affected areas will be provided to ensure compliance with these restrictions.
The ongoing heatwave is causing significant implications for biodiversity as well; authorities in the Côtes-d'Armor region have had to close beach access due to toxic emissions from decaying green algae, worsened by the elevated temperatures. The heatwave is not just a local issue, as southern Europe faces similar temperature spikes — Spain reported highs nearing 46°C. The extreme weather patterns are being attributed to a heat dome formed by a powerful anticyclone, preventing cooler air from entering affected regions.
Local authorities have activated a hotline for consultations, advising residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, on coping mechanisms for the extreme temperatures. With echoes of history marking this as the 33rd heatwave of the 21st century, the government's proactive measures underscore an urgent response to this growing climate-related crisis.