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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
David Mac Redmond

Wildfires and high temperatures ravage Europe as warning in Ireland is raised to Status Orange

Countries across Europe are suffering through a lethal heatwave as temperatures reach highs of over 40 degrees in many places.

Heat warnings have been issued across the continent as high temperatures have sparked wildfires in Portugal, Greece, Spain, Croatia and France. The effected areas have been evacuated and a number of deaths and injuries have been reported.

Thousands of firefighters have been battling blazes in dangerous conditions across southern Europe. Wildfires have also been raging in Morocco, where at least one person has died.

Read More: Ireland weather: Expert says 'no heatwave' this week as he pinpoints end of warm weather and arrival of rain

This is the second heatwave to hit Europe this summer and this time Portugal has recorded 47C in the north of the country (a record for July), while Spain has hit a high of 45C.

The number of deaths caused by the heat continued to rise over the weekend. 360 people have died from the high temperatures in Spain, according to the Carlos III Institute, which records temperature related fatalities.

In southern France, more than 16,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as fires ravage over 27,000 acres of land.

Spain has reported at least 30 different wildfires across the country and firefighters are being supported by the Spanish military.

The Greek island of Crete has also been affected by wildfires and civil defence forces have been sent to tackle the blaze.

Meanwhile, the UK is also feeling the effects of the heatwave where temperatures in London are predicted to reach 40C this week.

Heatwaves such as this one have become more and more common in recent years as the effects of climate change become more obvious. Climate experts predict that these periods of intense heat will become more frequent and more intense in the future.

At home, Met Éireann's Status Yellow High Temperature warning, valid until Tuesday at midnight, says: "On Sunday and Monday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees generally and possibly up to 32 degrees in places on Monday. Night time temperatures will range from 15 to 20 degrees."

They also warn of the possible impacts of heat stress, especially for the more vulnerable of the population, a High Solar UV index and the raised risk of water related incidents during warm weather.

Department of Agriculture has raised the forest fire warning level in Ireland to Status Orange until Wednesday amid soaring temperatures.

The Status Orange warning for possible forest, shrub, gorse and grass fires is valid until 12pm on Wednesday afternoon when Met Éireann say the hot spell will have come to a thundery end.

In its warning, the Department of Agriculture says: "Arising from current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. A high-pressure ridge currently located to the south west of Ireland will move northwards during the lifespan of this notice and influence Southerly airflows with high air temperatures low to moderate humidity and moderate windspeeds."

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