Heatwave sees temperatures soar in Europe as officials warn of wildfire risk

The European Commission’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service said the fire risk was “extreme” and “very extreme” in much of Spain, the Rhone river valley in France, Sardinia, Sicily and parts of mainland Italy

A man cools-off at a drinking fountain in Turin, Italy. Picture: Alberto Gandolfo/LaPresse via AP

People flocked to parks and pools across Western Europe on Saturday for a bit of respite from an early heat wave that saw the mercury rise above 40 degrees in France and Spain.

In Germany, which saw highs of 38 degrees this afternoon, the health minister urged vulnerable groups to stay hydrated.