Europe Grapples with Blistering Heat Wave: Italy on Red Alert, Austria Sets Record, Wildfires in France

A blistering heat wave is gripping Europe, leading Italy to place all major cities under the highest heat alert (red alert) on Thursday, August 6. Austria has set a national temperature record, and wildfires are raging in France, causing disruptions to energy and transport systems across the continent. Temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in several countries, prompting health warnings for millions and exposing vulnerabilities in public health, power generation, and transportation infrastructure.