A severe heatwave swept across parts of Europe, with southern France reaching extreme temperatures around 43°C, raising wildfire risks and forcing authorities to issue France’s highest-level heat warnings in multiple departments.

In France’s Aude department, firefighters were guarding the edges of a major blaze that had burned thousands of hectares, with officials saying the fire is under control but will likely take weeks to fully extinguish. Hot spots continued to smolder and posed a chance of reigniting.

Across southern France, heat advisories led to disruptions to daily life. Authorities used the red alert designation—reserved for exceptional, prolonged heat with major health risks—allowing local officials to cancel or modify outdoor events and adjust public schedules. Météo-France also placed additional departments under orange alerts.

The extreme weather threat extended beyond France. Reports described additional wildfire challenges in countries including Bulgaria and record-breaking temperatures in parts of Hungary, alongside fire bans and continued emergency responses.