Wildfire alerts issued across Mediterranean as summer heatwave builds in Europe

Smoke rises as firefighting teams respond the wildfire that broke out in Chios, Greece. Photo / Getty Images

Wildfire warnings were issued across the Mediterranean, as temperatures soar to 40C in parts of Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Italian authorities are already tackling a blaze near the town of Bernalda in Basilicata, while Greece has drafted in more than 400 firefighters to battle a number of outbreaks on the Aegean island of Chios.

Climate change is turbocharging heatwaves and other extreme weather events in Europe, the fastest-warming continent.

The scorching conditions threaten to tax power grids and wilt crops, elevating wildfire risks and the threat from violent storms, as a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture.

French authorities have issued amber warnings for heat in Lyon and Grenoble, with Meteo-France forecasting highs of up to 38C.

Alerts for dangerous wildfire conditions will be extended from Aude, Bouches-du-Rhone and Vaucluse to eight other departments.

In Italy, amber heat alerts have been issued for Puglia and the island of Sardinia, where the Regional Civil Protection Department warns temperatures could top 41C into tomorrow.

Aircraft and helicopters are supporting efforts to contain the wildfires that erupted yesterday near Bernalda.

The heatwave is fuelling unseasonably strong cooling demand across the region, according to data from Atmospheric G2.

That demand is set to increase as forecasts show temperatures easing briefly, before climbing even higher through to June 30.

The plains of Switzerland will see highs of 35C tomorrow, with the freezing point climbing to 4500m in the Alps, just below the height of the country’s highest peak. Hazy skies carrying Saharan dust may give way to violent thunderstorms in some areas.

Greek firefighters are struggling to control multiple blazes that broke out on Chios on Monday, with temperatures on the mainland set to climb to as high as 41C by the weekend.

Three evacuation orders were issued today for settlements on the island, while authorities are investigating the possibility that arson was the cause of the fires.

- With assistance from Paul Tugwell.