Italy hit by third summer heat wave

ROME: Italy is facing its third major heat wave of the summer as soaring temperatures continue across several cities, prompting authorities to issue high-level health warnings.

The country’s health alert system has placed Florence and Perugia under the highest red alert level until Wednesday. Officials warned that the extreme heat could pose serious risks to the general population, not only elderly people and vulnerable groups.

From July 15, the red alert will also be extended to Bologna, Brescia, Frosinone, Rome, and Turin as temperatures are expected to remain dangerously high.

Several other cities, including Cagliari, Campobasso, Latina, Milan, Pescara, Rieti, Trieste, Verona, and Viterbo, have been placed under orange alerts. Authorities said the weather conditions could create health risks, especially for people with existing medical conditions.

Italy’s heat warning system has four levels. Green indicates normal conditions, while yellow signals a pre-alert phase. Orange alerts indicate possible health dangers, and red alerts mean extreme heat conditions could affect everyone.

The ongoing heat wave has also increased the risk of wildfires across the country. Firefighters are continuing efforts to control blazes that erupted near Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse on the island of Sicily.

Some residents were evacuated from homes close to the fires as a precaution. Emergency teams, including firefighters and forestry workers, are using ground vehicles along with aircraft and helicopters to contain the flames.

Another fire was reported near the Solfatara volcanic area between Naples and Pozzuoli, affecting woodland and scrub areas.

Weather experts said the heat wave has been driven by a strong African anticyclone, which is pushing extremely hot air towards the Mediterranean region. Scientists have warned that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense heat waves across southern Europe.