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France launches extreme‑heat emergency plan as red alerts trigger massive wildfires
A severe heat wave swept France in early July 2026, prompting Meteo‑France to place 24 departments under red alert and a further 59 under orange. The government activated the national ORSEC “Extreme Heat” plan for the first time, opening cooling centres and mobilising health, rescue and prefectural services. Measures across affected regions included bans on public alcohol consumption, prohibitions on outdoor sport events, and restrictions on gatherings to limit fire risk.
Wildfires flared across the country: a 9‑hectare blaze in Haute‑Goulaine forced the evacuation of 30 homes; the Drôme fire burned roughly 3,700 hectares, prompting the evacuation of hundreds and the deployment of 500 firefighters with military support; other fires burned tens of thousands of hectares in the Pyrénées‑Orientales, Indre and Loire‑Atlantique. Over 1,000 additional heat‑related deaths were recorded, straining hospitals and funeral services.
Local authorities implemented special hours for public spaces, suspended festivals, and issued health advisories urging regular hydration, avoidance of midday outdoor activity and checking on vulnerable individuals. The French labour minister announced a study visit to Spain to examine how that country manages extreme temperatures. The coordinated response aimed to protect vulnerable populations and curb the spread of fires as the heat persisted into mid‑July.