The Balkans experienced further effects of a continental heatwave on Monday, as authorities struggled to contain wildfires and health and infrastructure systems remained under pressure. The extreme conditions, which scientists say began on June 20 and represent the worst recorded in Europe, have already been linked to hundreds of excess deaths and wide disruption to daily life.
In Croatia the national weather service issued a red alert for several areas, including the capital Zagreb and the major tourist centres of Split and Dubrovnik. Dozens of firefighters, supported by four aircraft, were engaged in efforts to extinguish a wildfire sweeping through pine forests on the Adriatic island of Vis, located about 34 miles (55 km) southwest of Split.
Across the border in Serbia, the State Hydrometeorological Service (RHMZ) warned that temperatures would climb to 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday. To the south, Albanian authorities reported that a wildfire near the village of Klos had been contained after it consumed many hectares of bushes and olive trees over the weekend.
Scientists monitoring the event have described the heatwave as the most severe recorded in Europe. The blistering temperatures have disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure and placed heavy demands on healthcare systems. France has reported approximately 1,000 excess deaths during the period of extreme heat, with French public health authorities noting that most of the fatalities involved older people and that the toll was expected to rise.
Researchers attributed the intensity of this week’s soaring night-time temperatures largely to human-caused climate change, saying the extreme night conditions were made 100 times more likely compared with two decades ago and that such a heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" in its absence.
Outlook and expert warnings
Luca Mercalli, president of Italy’s Meteorological Society, said temperatures were expected to surge again from July 5-6. He indicated that the areas likely to be affected in the next phase would resemble those hit in the first wave, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and, to a lesser degree, Britain.
Mercalli highlighted a dual pattern under the extreme heat: an increased risk of forest fires alongside frequent rainstorms that could locally reduce that risk. He cautioned, however, that such storms are very localized and therefore can produce highly variable rainfall totals across short distances.
Recent tragedies and regional records
- Two boys, aged 8 and 10, from Bulgaria were found dead in a hot car in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon; Cyprus was experiencing temperatures around 38 C, which the island did not classify as a heatwave for this time of year.
- Two cyclists, aged 30 and 71, died while participating in an event in the Poland Bike Marathon series in Marki near Warsaw on Sunday.
- Poland reported a new national high on Sunday at 40.5 C.
The combination of heat-related fatalities, record national temperatures and active wildfires illustrates the multifaceted stress the event has placed on emergency services, public health facilities, and critical infrastructure across multiple countries.
Economic and sectoral implications
The heatwave has already affected power generation in parts of the continent, put strain on healthcare systems treating heat-related illness, and damaged infrastructure. Tourist areas, notably coastal destinations and islands such as Vis, have faced wildfire threats that can disrupt travel and local economies. Agricultural land and olive trees in southern Albania were burned by fires over the weekend, indicating impacts for rural and agricultural sectors as well.
Authorities and emergency services across affected countries continue to monitor fire activity and health system capacity as the heat persists and as forecasts indicate renewed rises in temperature in western Europe early next week.