Paris – France has declared a state of maximum alert across about a quarter of its territory due to a severe heatwave and an increased risk of wildfires. Several tourist sites, including the Eiffel Tower, have decided to close early.
Twenty-four departments in central and western France—including the Paris region, home to 22.2 million people—have been placed on red alert, the highest warning level, according to France Météo. The agency advised the public to remain extremely vigilant. Another 59 departments are under an orange alert, the second-highest level, because of severe weather. Only southeastern regions and Corsica are largely spared from the country’s third major heatwave in two months.
Forecasters warn temperatures could reach 39 or even 40 degrees Celsius (about 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas. The extreme heat is expected to last until the middle of next week.
High-speed TGV train services will continue as normal during the busy national holiday weekend. However, one out of every three regional train services will be canceled during the hottest part of the day, with buses provided as substitutes.
Authorities have urged drivers to exercise extra caution due to the heat and heavy traffic. The risk of wildfires is rising under these conditions.
President Emmanuel Macron posted on X, warning that “nine out of ten forest fires are caused by human activity.” He added, “One second of negligence can endanger families, threaten those who protect us, and destroy our natural landscapes.”
Since the beginning of summer, police have detained 32 people suspected of starting fires deliberately. More than 25,000 hectares have burned since the start of the year—nearly double the area recorded at this time in 2025, according to civil protection authorities.
Although the number of casualties is far lower than in southern Spain, where at least 12 people have died, fires have broken out in new areas in southern France and in regions not usually affected by summer wildfires, especially in the west.
In the Savoie region, two villages were evacuated. While local officials say a forest fire that burned 60 hectares there is now “stabilized,” clearing access roads will require several days of work.