Europe's Heatwave Turns Deadly as Wildfires Spread Across France, Italy and Spain

Extreme heat is imposing a measurable human and economic cost across southern Europe. Euronews reported that France recorded at least 5,764 excess deaths during last month's heatwave, the country's deadliest heat event since 2003, citing official figures. The toll shows how directly temperature now affects mortality in wealthy economies.

This week has brought wildfires. The South China Morning Post reported that wildfires burned in Sicily, southwestern France and central Spain, killing three firefighters and forcing thousands of evacuations as temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius, in its coverage. The fires disrupt agriculture, tourism and transport in some of the continent's most productive regions.

The heat is even reshaping property markets. Euronews reported on "climate gentrification," in which house prices rise in cooler areas outside European city centers as extreme heat makes urban living less bearable, in an explainer. What began as a seasonal weather event is becoming a lasting factor in where people live and work.