July 30th 2024.
As the month of July progresses, a wildfire continues to rage near the village of Petries on the beautiful Greek island of Evia. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning of what has been described as a "hellish" heatwave that is set to sweep across Europe until August. Not only are extreme temperatures hitting parts of the Mediterranean and Balkans, but the forecast predicts that they will exceed 40°C. Families planning to visit Spain have been advised to prepare for the intense heat, while those already in Greece are on high alert for potential wildfires.
The cause of this "historic" heatwave has been attributed to a combination of hot air from Africa and a high-pressure system. This has led to scorching temperatures and a dangerous situation for many countries in Europe. Greece, in particular, has been facing a difficult summer with multiple wildfires breaking out across the country. In fact, a team of over 200 firefighters, along with helicopters and water-carrying jets, are currently battling a wildfire on Evia, Greece's second-largest island. The fire started on Monday afternoon near the village of Petries and has been fueled by strong winds.
The situation has improved slightly on Tuesday, but the risk of flare-ups remains due to the windy conditions. The fire service has confirmed that 13 aircraft and six helicopters are on the scene, with the fire located about 37 miles from the capital city of Athens. As a precaution, a coastguard vessel is on standby for any potential evacuations by sea. The climate crisis and civil protection minister, Vassilis Kikilias, has described this fire as "difficult" due to its location and the challenging weather conditions.
Greece is not the only country facing the devastating effects of this heatwave. Spain has also been experiencing extreme temperatures since the beginning of the summer. Health alerts have been issued, particularly for tourists who may not be accustomed to such high temperatures. In the Balearic Islands, where many tourists flock to for a summer vacation, the Ministry of Health has urged people to take extreme precautions as another heatwave is expected to hit the area this month. The region has already seen temperatures reach over 40°C, with similar forecasts for the coming days.
Meanwhile, Italy's health ministry has issued a "red alert" for 13 cities, including Rome, Bologna, and Milan, due to the expected extreme heat in the upcoming days. This has prompted warnings for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women to take extra care in these conditions. With the heat posing a danger to health, many may wonder what the best way to stay hydrated is. According to one doctor, drinking milk may actually be more beneficial than water. While this may come as a surprise, it has been claimed that milk can be more hydrating in hot weather. So, before you reach for your water bottle, consider the benefits of a refreshing glass of milk.
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