Civil Protection alert for risk of fires and extreme temperatures this Wednesday, the peak day of the heat wave

   MADRID, 9 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies maintains the alert for the risk of very high or extreme forest fires in almost the entire territory of the country and for high temperatures in most of the Peninsula and that will reach 44ºC in areas of Andalusia and asks the citizens to take self-protection measures and extreme precautions because the heat wave will probably continue until Friday.

Thus, according to the predictions of the AEMET, the thermometers will reach the peak of heat this Wednesday, with 38-40 degrees Celsius (ºC) in large areas of the interior; 40 to 42ºC in the southern and central half, interior of the Basque Country and north of Burgos, and even 44ºC in areas of Andalusia.

This Wednesday the extreme risk warning (red) will be activated due to high high temperatures red in areas of Jaén, Granada, Cuenca, Madrid, Burgos, Álava, Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya and on Thursday in areas of Valencia.

During the day the temperatures will rise more, especially in the Cantabrian area and the eastern half of the peninsula, although it is likely that a drop in temperatures will begin in the extreme west.

On Thursday it is probable that the thermal decrease that began the day before in the west will extend towards the interior of the peninsula and that it would extend during the following days to the rest of the peninsular area. The temperatures will continue to be high, but milder than the previous days.

The uncertainty of the atmospheric evolution is not as high as the previous days and, according to the latest information from the numerical models, Friday the 11th will probably be the last day of this heat wave episode.

As for the Canary Islands, the African air mass will begin to affect the archipelago starting today, Wednesday, and will persist for several days. As a consequence there will be a progressive rise in temperatures and, starting tomorrow Thursday, an episode of high temperatures. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th will most likely be the hottest days of the episode.

Faced with this situation, Civil Protection advises respecting the forest and avoiding behaviors that could cause a forest fire such as throwing cigarette butts, leaving garbage or using machinery because negligence is the origin of most fires.

Faced with this adverse weather situation, Civil Protection requests special attention to prevent forest fires, which is why it insists on following the regulations of each autonomous community on fire prevention and authorized periods for stubble burning.

Specifically, it advises avoiding throwing cigarettes, rubbish and, especially, glass bottles that have a magnifying effect in the sun, since negligence causes a large part of forest fires.

Civil Protection reminds that it is forbidden to light fires or bonfires in the mountains and nearby lands and that you should only camp in authorized areas, which have protection measures against a possible fire and evacuation is easier.

In case of discovering a fire at the beginning, ask to notify 112 immediately and whoever is surprised by a fire should avoid entering the bush or forest. Thus, it is advisable to always go through areas with high visibility and free of fuel.

In the event of an emergency due to a forest fire, insist that the indications of the competent authorities must always be followed.

Also, to deal with high temperatures, Civil Protection recommends limiting exposure to the sun; keep in well ventilated places; eat light and regular meals, rich in water and mineral salts, such as fruits and vegetables and drink water or fluids frequently. Other recommendations against heat include dressing in light-colored clothing, covering as much skin and head as possible, and avoiding prolonged physical exercise during the central hours of the day.

Finally, he recommends taking an interest in the elderly and sick, and those who live alone or isolated.