A severe heatwave is currently gripping France, with 70 departments on orange alert as temperatures soar to or above 40°C, especially in the southwest and Mediterranean regions.

While some regions like Île-de-France, Loiret, and Yonne are lifting their alerts, others such as Finistère, Morbihan, and Loire-Atlantique remain under orange alert due to persistent high temperatures.

Temperatures have slightly decreased in some areas after reaching up to 41.1°C in Gard, but they still remain dangerously high, exceeding 40°C in many locations.

Over 266 weather stations recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher between August 9 and 12, surpassing the total for the entire second half of the 20th century, with climate change fueling the increased frequency of such extreme heat events.

The ongoing heatwave has been intensified by recent violent thunderstorms and a historic Mediterranean marine heatwave, with sea temperatures approaching 30°C, exacerbating the overall crisis.

In response, authorities have implemented emergency measures including opening air-conditioned shelters, canceling outdoor events like the Feria de Dax, and warning vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and isolated, to take precautions.

Municipalities such as Bordeaux are actively extending cooling centers, opening pools, and keeping museums open longer to protect at-risk groups from the extreme heat.

The risk of wildfires has surged across the South and Centre-Ouest regions due to drought and strong winds, with areas like Aude and Drôme classified as very high fire danger.

The heatwave, now in its eighth day, is expected to persist until at least Tuesday, with temperatures remaining dangerously high, though officials do not anticipate a red alert for the upcoming weekend.

Meteorological forecasts suggest that thunderstorms early next week could help lower temperatures and bring an end to this intense heatwave.

Some residents, including families from Bordeaux, are fleeing the extreme heat by relocating temporarily to cooler regions such as Ille-et-Vilaine.

Authorities are urging the population to remain vigilant, especially vulnerable groups, and are actively providing support and resources to mitigate health risks associated with the heat.