Alert: France on red alert; Chaos threatens

In the Paris region and several departments in central and western France, temperatures this morning ranged between 22°C and 25°C, while highs of up to 41°C are expected later today, Le Figaro reported.

According to the report, 59 departments are facing a high or very high risk of wildfires.

The prefect of the Drôme department in southeastern France has ordered additional precautionary evacuations affecting around 400 people in the mountainous area, where approximately 3,500 hectares have already burned.

Meteorological services have announced that this heatwave will peak between Sunday and Monday and is expected to last at least until July 15.

Atlantic air is expected to bring an end to the heatwave from July 16–17 onwards. Meanwhile, the red alert level has been lifted for the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France, as the return of sea breezes significantly lowered temperatures on Friday.