Hungary and Italy face record heat, dozens of wildfires as Europe endures extreme temperatures

Hungary has battled nearly 400 outdoor fires since a heat alert was issued on July 30, with 96 incidents reported on a single day. The fires, fueled by prolonged drought, have burned fields, forests and scrubland across several counties. Eight people have been injured and one man died while trying to contain a blaze in Zsennye, Vas County. Heat records were also broken, with Újpest reaching 40.3 °C and a new national minimum‑temperature record set in Boda.

Across the continent, a severe heat wave has placed all major Italian cities on the highest (red) health alert, the first such nationwide warning this year. Austria recorded its own temperature high, while France contended with wildfires. The extreme temperatures have disrupted energy supplies, transport networks and tourism, prompting officials to warn that such events are becoming more frequent as the climate warms.