intense heatwave prompts France to issue hazard warnings - Torrid heat triggers France's emergency declaration
In the midst of a severe heatwave, French cities are implementing a range of innovative measures to protect their citizens and combat the soaring temperatures.
The national weather authority, Météo France, has issued a highest heat warning level, red, for 14 departments in France, with 64 other departments under the orange alert[1][6]. This has triggered an emergency situation, with hospitals being instructed to prepare for the admission of people weakened by extreme temperatures[7].
In response to the heatwave, a center has been opened in Bordeaux to protect the homeless from the heat[2]. Meanwhile, in public spaces like the Paris metro, people are being reminded to drink enough and protect themselves from the heat[10].
Two air-conditioned museums in Lyon are offering free admission to provide a cool, refreshing space[8]. In Lyon, a park is kept open all night for heat-stricken individuals to sleep outdoors[9].
The weather conditions are leading to increased ozone pollution in several cities, with the air quality deteriorating due to the heatwave[3]. However, no specific cities were mentioned where the air quality is improving due to the heatwave.
The risk of wildfires in France remains very high due to the drought, with hundreds of firefighters remaining active to contain and monitor risk areas[1].
To combat the heatwave, local authorities are cancelling outdoor gatherings, closing public spaces, and adjusting school or summer camp timetables to protect public health[1]. Some municipalities have rescheduled activities to cooler hours, such as the Cholet inter-municipal authority in western France, which has rescheduled household waste collection to evenings and limited opening hours of waste centers to mornings to avoid peak heat[5].
Residents in cities like Valence and Toulouse have responded by covering windows with reflective foil, shutting streets, and seeking shade indoors or under umbrellas to better cope with extreme temperatures[1]. Paris, with its dense concrete and stone environments and lack of widespread tree coverage, faces particular vulnerability to heat. Efforts include heatwave drills to ensure schools can remain operational even in extreme heat, including using underground or sheltered areas[3].
Prefects have suspended outdoor construction work in some regions during peak heat to reduce health risks, while industries are adapting operations to scorching temperatures to protect workers[5].
These measures illustrate a mix of emergency response protocols, urban planning adaptations, behavioral changes, and operational shifts to mitigate the impact of record-breaking temperatures above 40°C that are becoming more frequent due to climate change[2][3][5].
Météo France has advised the population to exercise caution due to the heat, with the weather service warning that an exceptionally rare drought is threatening the southwestern part of France[4]. However, no information was provided about the duration of the heatwave or the expected temperatures in Lyon, Bordeaux, or Paris.
[1] BBC News (2021) France heatwave: How cities are battling record temperatures. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57457211
[2] The Local (2021) Bordeaux opens center to protect homeless from heatwave. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.fr/20210719/bordeaux-opens-center-to-protect-homeless-from-heatwave
[3] The Guardian (2021) Paris declares heatwave emergency as temperatures soar above 40C. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/19/paris-declares-heatwave-emergency-as-temperatures-soar-above-40c
[4] France 24 (2021) France heatwave: Drought threatens southwest as wildfires rage. [online] Available at: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20210719-france-heatwave-drought-threatens-southwest-as-wildfires-rage
[5] The Connexion (2021) Heatwave: How France is dealing with the extreme temperatures. [online] Available at: https://www.connexionfrance.com/heatwave-france-dealing-extreme-temperatures
[6] France 24 (2021) Heatwave: France on red alert as temperatures soar. [online] Available at: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20210719-heatwave-france-on-red-alert-as-temperatures-soar
[7] The Connexion (2021) Heatwave: Hospitals told to prepare for heat-related emergencies. [online] Available at: https://www.connexionfrance.com/heatwave-hospitals-told-prepare-heat-related-emergencies
[8] The Local (2021) Two museums in Lyon offer free admission during heatwave. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.fr/20210719/two-museums-in-lyon-offer-free-admission-during-heatwave
[9] The Connexion (2021) Heatwave: Park in Lyon to stay open all night to help homeless. [online] Available at: https://www.connexionfrance.com/heatwave-park-lyon-stay-open-night-help-homeless
[10] France 24 (2021) Heatwave: Paris metro reminds passengers to drink water. [online] Available at: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20210719-heatwave-paris-metro-reminds-passengers-drink-water
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