Europe battles wildfires in intense heat

• At least 1,000 people have died from the heat in Portugal and Spain.
• Spain’s hottest temperature during the heat wave was 45.7 C.
• Highs of 42°C (108°F) however forecast for Aragon, Navarra, and La Rioja.

Spain, Greece, France, and other southern Europe countries fought flames Sunday. Rising temperatures caused hundreds of deaths, according to scientists.

In Spain, firefighters had trouble putting out fires due to the heat and rocky terrain.

Residents in the middle of western Jerte valley however astonished to observe huge clouds of smoke. They remarked the heat made their residence like semi-arid Spain.

Environmental Research: Climate published a study in June that concluded climate warming likely worsens heatwaves.

At least 1,000 people have died from the heat in Portugal and Spain. Spain’s hottest temperature during the heat wave was 45.7 C.

Sunday temperature warnings in Spain. In Aragon, Navarra, and La Rioja, highs of 42°C (108°F) are forecast. Monday’s heatwave will end, but temperatures will remain “abnormally high.”

Sunday afternoon, fires broke out in Castille and Leon, and Galicia. In southern Spain’s Malaga province, wildfires blazed all night, hurting inhabitants near Mijas, a popular tourist resort.

William and Ellen McCurdy took sanctuary at a Europe sports center as the fire approached their home on Saturday.

It didn’t matter to me. William, 68, told Reuters, “I assumed they had it under control, so I was astonished when it moved toward us.”

Portugal is drought-stricken. Before the latest heat wave, 96% of the mainland was in severe or extreme drought.

Emergency and Civil Protection Authority Commander Andre Fernandes warned against starting fresh fires in the dry air.

Greece’s fire brigade reported 71 fires in the preceding 24 hours. Officials from Crete’s fire brigade reported Sunday that part of a blaze had been stopped.

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