France Faces Likely Return of Intense Heat as Wildfire Risk Rises

Overview

• Météo‑France says a new episode of very high temperatures is likely to begin this weekend with many regions probably exceeding 35°C, though the exact intensity and reach remain uncertain.
• Four departments in the southeast and Corsica remain on orange heat alert while six southern departments were placed at very high risk for wildfires on July 1 because soils and vegetation are now drier.
• Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will chair an interministerial crisis cell in Marseille on Thursday to coordinate health, firefighting and agricultural measures ahead of the expected heat rise.
• Health authorities report about 1,000 excess deaths since June 24 and hospitals, power networks and transport systems have already shown strain during the recent prolonged June heatwave.
• Weather models diverge beyond a week so forecasts are provisional, but experts warn repeated heat episodes will worsen drought, raise fire ignition risk and increase pressure for major investment in health and infrastructure.