France is bracing for a prolonged, severe heatwave. Authorities will place nine western departments under red alert starting Friday. Météo-France has warned that nearly all of mainland France will be on orange alert by the weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 39 to 40°C in several regions. The departments under the highest level of warning are Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Mayenne, Sarthe, Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Maine-et-Loire, Vienne and Deux-Sèvres.
In the Drôme region, wildfires have already scorched approximately 3,500 hectares, prompting preventive evacuations in the western part of Saulon-la-Chapelle and at a campsite on the Justin massif. Firefighting efforts involve 570 personnel, with support from Canadair and Dash aircraft, plus a water-bombing helicopter. The situation remains tense as emergency services work to contain the flames and protect local communities.
Local authorities are imposing restrictions to reduce risks from the extreme heat. Several departments have banned fireworks and limited alcohol consumption in public spaces to prevent further incidents during this period of heightened danger. In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the prefect has announced that nine previously closed communes will reopen from 18:00, reflecting a cautious improvement in local conditions.
The heatwave’s health impact is already being felt beyond France. Belgium has reported over 1,700 heat-related deaths since late June, the country’s highest excess mortality ever recorded for this period. A Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) analysis of the Belgian heatwave from 17 to 28 June estimated 1,181 heat-related deaths statistically linked to the temperatures. Researchers attributed 665, or 56%, to human-caused climate change, which they estimated made the heatwave 3.9°C hotter on average. Separately, Belgian public-health surveillance recorded 2,018 excess deaths during and immediately after the event, the highest figure associated with a heatwave since monitoring began in 2003. The figures measure different things: modeled heat-related deaths and excess mortality use different methods and are not directly interchangeable. Belgian reporting also placed the June event within a sequence of three heatwaves associated with nearly 3,000 excess deaths across the successive episodes. In response to the crisis, the French government has introduced emergency funding to supply hospitals with mobile air-conditioning units. Hospital unions, but, have questioned the plan’s effectiveness and voiced concern about the lack of practical details as the crisis continues.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to chair an interministerial crisis unit on Friday to coordinate the national response. The heatwave, wildfire risk and strain on public health infrastructure have prompted reinforced vigilance across the country. France is preparing for the Bastille Day holiday, traditionally marked by public gatherings and celebrations that now face new restrictions because of the weather emergency.
Extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense across Europe in recent years. The situation in France echoes challenges faced during other major events, including Spain’s San Fermín festival, where emergency services have had to adapt to record temperatures and large crowds. For example, San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona began under a heat alert, with an increased presence of emergency personnel. The episode points to the growing need for coordinated responses to climate-related risks.
The heatwave is expected to persist at least until July 14. French authorities continue to monitor conditions closely and urge residents and visitors to follow safety guidelines and watch for further updates.
