Molotov Cocktail for Europe: how 40-degree heat caused mass fires and casualties

Almost all of Europe is suffering from a heatwave that has already exceeded 40°C Scientists characterize this natural phenomenon as a 'Molotov Cocktail' since the heat has led to numerous wildfires across the Mediterranean. This was reported by The Guardian. In Italy, where temperatures are expected to reach 40°C in Florence, a four-year-old boy died from heatstroke. A 'red' danger level has been declared in seven major cities. In France, more than half of the country is warned about the heat, and 12 administrative units are at the highest 'red' level. The largest fire since 1949 has already claimed one life, and 20 firefighters and five civilians have been injured. In Spain, the meteorological agency is warning of 'extreme danger' in Zaragoza and the Basque Country. Fires in León and Zamora have forced over 1000 people to evacuate, and large areas are burning in Galicia, threatening the UNESCO World Heritage site of Las Médulas. Cristina Santin Nuño, a fire safety specialist, noted: 'If you add to this the relatively easy possibility that a spark can ignite a fire somewhere... we have all the ingredients for the 'Molotov Cocktail' that we are seeing now.' Europe is heating up almost twice as fast as the global average, which experts say leads to broader, more intense, and dangerous fires. Meteorologist Natalka Didenko warned that the weather in Ukraine will not undergo significant changes. However, a heat intensification could soon occur, followed by a drop in temperature. The overall trend is an increase in temperatures and intensifying heat across the European region, leading to serious consequences such as wildfires, heat strokes, and threats to the health and safety of the population.