France’s Prolonged Heatwave Keeps 75 Départements on Orange Alert

Overview

• Météo‑France says the heatwave that began on July 28 has lasted 17 days and has already exceeded the 2003 event in duration.
• Seventy‑five départements remain under orange vigilance, the second‑highest warning level that signals a high risk and calls for specific local precautions.
• Four northwestern départements — Finistère, Côtes‑d’Armor, Manche and Calvados — were taken off alert and Ille‑et‑Vilaine was moved to yellow in the latest update.
• Forecasters expect the hottest air mass to shift east, with a gradual easing and cooler conditions arriving in the northwest over the coming weekend.
• Authorities warn that long‑term drying of soils increases the risk of wildfires and heightens threats to public health, agriculture and infrastructure across affected areas.