Europe’s wildfire threat expands in latest heatwave

Many nations are trying to reduce the risk and also ease pressure on water and energy networks, amid more evacuations

Central Europe was sweltering under the latest heatwave in an already record-breaking summer on Friday, with several countries taking steps to reduce the risk of fires and ease pressure on water and energy networks.

Europe’s wildfire threat is expanding, as high winds and heat force evacuations from Greece to the UK, even as blazes were brought under control in France and Spain.

In Hungary, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has called on businesses to voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption, outdoor fires have been banned and decorative lighting will be switched off on state buildings to save energy.

Kata Serfozo, 36, a designer on maternity leave in Budapest, said she was spending “a lot of time outdoors in the shade” because it feels “much better than staying at home (with) the curtains drawn, the blinds down, and the shades closed”.

In Slovakia, local authorities in the capital Bratislava have set up more than 30 cooling stations offering air-conditioned spaces and drinking water.

Darina Justusova, 33, pregnant and on maternity leave, said the heat was making her “much more tired” and forcing her to “take more breaks” during the day.