Civil Protection alerts temperatures of up to 44ºC and calls for caution due to the risk to health and to avoid fires

   MADRID, 7 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies has alerted the population about the high temperatures in most of the Peninsula, up to 44 degrees Celsius (ºC) in some points, which are expected this week in Spain, immersed in its third wave of summer heat and asks the population to adopt precautionary measures due to the risk that heat poses to health and to avoid forest fires, the risk of which will continue to be very high or extreme.

In accordance with the predictions of the State Meteorological Agency, the warning has been activated due to a significant risk due to high temperatures in areas of Extremadura, Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha. To these will be added on Tuesday areas of the Community of Madrid, Castilla y León and Galicia and on Wednesday, predictably, the orange notice will affect eleven autonomous communities.

Specifically, this Monday and Tuesday the temperatures will continue to rise, except on Monday in the Mediterranean area where they will drop. On Tuesday that rise will be especially significant in the northern half. During these two days it is likely that 40-42ºC will be reached in large areas of the peninsular southwest quadrant and 36-40ºC on Tuesday in large areas of the northern half, especially the northwest quadrant, affecting areas such as Galicia and the interior of the Cantabrian Sea. , where so far the summer has been relatively cool.

On Wednesday temperatures will rise even more, especially in the Cantabrian area and the eastern half of the peninsula, although it is likely that temperatures will begin to drop in the extreme west. This day will probably be the peak day of this episode and it could reach or exceed 42-44ºC in large areas of the southern half and central zone, and 40ºC in areas of the eastern Cantabrian Sea, the center of the northern plateau and the Ebro valley.

The minimum temperatures will also be very high during the episode, with nights known as tropical, above 20ºC, and even above 25ºC, in the southern half, central zone and Mediterranean area.

As of Thursday the 10th, it is probable that a drop in temperatures will begin in the northwest of the peninsula and that it would extend during the following days to other areas of the Peninsula. The temperatures will continue to be high, but milder than the previous days. The uncertainty of the atmospheric evolution is high, so it is difficult to establish with certainty the end of the heat wave episode. With the information currently available, Thursday the 10th will probably be the last day.

As for the Canary Islands, the African air mass will begin to affect the archipelago on Wednesday the 9th, and will persist for several days. As a consequence there will be a progressive rise in temperatures and, from Thursday the 10th, an episode of high temperatures. It is still too early to determine whether or not it will be a heat wave.

Faced with this adverse weather situation, Civil Protection asks to pay 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 burning stubble.

In addition, he advises to avoid throwing cigarettes, garbage 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.