France activates the emergency plan due to a new heatwave that is fueling the fires.

France has activated the Orsec Plan, an emergency intervention system, in 24 departments where a red weather hazard alert has been declared, including in the Paris region.

This measure comes against the backdrop of numerous wildfires affecting the south of the country, fueled by a third heatwave in the last two months. Meteorologists estimate that over 2,000 additional deaths could be linked to the heatwave at the end of June, and this number could rise. On Saturday, 22.2 million residents will be affected by the highest alert level. In the context of summer holidays, SNCF will maintain normal service for TGV trains but will reduce the frequency of Intercity trains during peak hours.

The heatwave is expected to last until the middle of next week, with a possible cooling of the weather in the west of the country.