France Records Hottest Summer on Record Amid Severe Drought and Devastating Wildfires

PARIS: France has recorded its hottest summer since national temperature measurements began in 1900, as prolonged heat, severe drought and widespread wildfires affected large parts of the country, according to the Associated Press.

Environment Minister Monique Barbut said Thursday that the average temperature for June, July and August reached 24°C (75.2°F), about 3.6°C above the historical average. The figure surpassed the previous summer record set in 2003.

The extreme temperatures were accompanied by exceptionally dry conditions, with rainfall nearly 40% below the seasonal average. France experienced 53 days of heatwaves during the summer, significantly exceeding the 33 days recorded in 2022.

The combination of intense heat and prolonged dryness fueled a severe wildfire season. Fires spread across the country, including areas in northern France and Brittany that are normally cooler and wetter. A major blaze near Bordeaux destroyed large areas of forest and forced about 250,000 people to evacuate their homes.

The fires also had a substantial environmental impact. According to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation service, French wildfires had released more than 1.5 million metric tons of carbon by Aug. 26, the highest level recorded in the country since 2003.

France’s coastal waters also experienced record temperatures during the summer, adding to concerns over the broader effects of climate change. Scientists and climate monitoring agencies have linked the increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves and wildfire conditions to a warming climate.

The exceptional summer has intensified calls for stronger climate adaptation measures in France, including improved wildfire preparedness, water management and measures to protect communities from extreme heat.

The French government is expected to outline further climate-related measures as authorities assess the environmental, economic and public-health consequences of the record-breaking summer.