PHOTO, PHOTO BY ANTONIO MASIELLO/GETTY IMAGES
Spain was the first to face a new heat wave. The country is already experiencing its first official heat wave of 2026, and the national weather service has issued red and orange alerts in several regions. Authorities are warning of an increased risk of wildfires and a threat to public health.
In France, the situation is becoming increasingly tense. More than half of the country’s territory has been placed under the highest level of weather alert. On Monday, authorities closed 845 schools and colleges, while another 1,800 educational institutions shortened the school day to keep children out of classrooms during the hottest hours. This is already the second heat wave in France since the beginning of the year. According to Reuters, dozens of deaths linked to the extreme heat have been reported across the country.
Authorities are urging people to work remotely
The heat is also beginning to affect the transportation system. In the Île-de-France region of France, one in ten trains has been canceled, and in Belgium and the United Kingdom, transit operators are also adjusting their schedules. Railroad companies warn that high temperatures cause rails to expand, increasing the risk of track deformation and damage to overhead lines. As a result, trains are forced to reduce their speed to ensure safe operation.
Authorities in several countries are urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel and switch to remote work whenever possible. In the UK, schools remain open for now, but many schools have relaxed their dress code requirements and stepped up measures to protect students and teachers from overheating.
The extreme heat is affecting public life. In France, in areas under a red alert, alcohol consumption at mass gatherings is restricted due to the risk of dehydration. At the same time, authorities are warning against swimming in unsupervised areas following a rise in water-related accidents in France and Germany.
The threat of wildfires is growing
Amid the high temperatures, the threat of wildfires is also increasing. In central France, fires have already destroyed 25 hectares of farmland, and more than 50 people have been evacuated due to the spread of the flames.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such events to climate change. According to Akshay Deoras, a researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Reading, human-induced global warming is intensifying heat waves, making them longer-lasting and more intense. Experts warn that extreme temperatures are becoming the new normal for Europe, which is warming faster than most other regions of the world.
