Key facts
- The French government activated an "Orsec extreme heat plan" due to a renewed heatwave.
- Nine departments in western France are on red alert for extreme heat.
- Wildfires have scorched twice the amount of land in France this year compared to last year.
- The country is experiencing its third heatwave since May.
- The government will open "cooling centres" for vulnerable populations.
- Six thousand of 30,000 planned air conditioning units for hospitals have been delivered.
The French government has activated an "Orsec extreme heat plan" for nine departments in the west of the country facing a severe heatwave, a measure typically reserved for natural disasters like floods. This unprecedented step comes as the nation grapples with its third heatwave since May, accompanied by a significant increase in wildfires.
Nine departments, including Morbihan and Loire-Atlantique, were placed on red alert for extreme heat on Friday, with 72 others under an orange alert. Météo France forecasts the red alert will extend to 24 departments, including the entire Ile-de-France region, by Saturday noon.
Wildfires have already scorched over 25,000 hectares this year, roughly double the area affected in the same period last year, according to Julien Marion, director general of civil security. France has experienced more than 2,000 excess deaths during the June heatwave and 300 during late May's high temperatures.
In response, the government announced the opening of "cooling centres" for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and homeless. Additionally, six thousand of the 30,000 air conditioning units promised to the nation's hospitals have been delivered and installed, stated government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon.
France's High Council for Climate warned on Thursday that the country's climate change policies are "insufficient," with expert Valerie Masson-Delmotte noting that infrastructure and societal practices are based on a climate that no longer exists. High temperatures are expected to persist until Bastille Day on July 14.