40 Degrees, Fire Danger, and Billions in Damage: France in the Grips of Heat

The heat wave that began on July 28 in France has now lasted for 23 days, aiming to become one of the longest in the country's history. Meteorological data indicates that there have been over 50 hot days recorded in 2026, surpassing the figures from 2022 (33 days) and 2003 (22 days). In some regions, temperatures have reached between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius.

Due to high temperatures and a significant risk of forest fires, a dangerous orange alert level has been declared in dozens of departments. According to preliminary estimates from French authorities, the damage caused by the recurring heat waves this summer could amount to between 10 and 15 billion euros for the country.