MADRID – Spain was hit by the first official heat wave in 2026, and temperatures in Madrid and other parts of the country reached up to 40 degrees Celsius, while the authorities warned of a danger to citizens’ health and an increased risk of forest fires, reports Reuters today, June 21.
The State Meteorological Agency of Spain (AEMET) announced that 13 of the 17 regions in the country are under an orange warning due to the heat, while the Basque Country in the northwest is under the highest, red warning.
The heat wave is expected to last until Thursday.
Due to extreme temperatures, warning measures have been introduced in several European countries.
The sale of alcohol is partially banned in France, and national warnings are in effect in Germany.
Officials warn that high temperatures pose a serious health risk, especially for the elderly, and that they can contribute to the spread of outdoor fires.
