Italy has expanded health alerts as the country’s third heat wave of the summer pushed temperatures to dangerous levels across several regions. Authorities warned that the extreme heat poses serious health risks and widened red alerts to more major cities. The prolonged heat has also fueled wildfires, raising concerns over public safety and climate-related impacts.
Red health alerts remain in effect for Florence and Perugia until Wednesday, while Bologna, Brescia, Frosinone, Rome, and Turin are set to join the highest warning level. Italy’s Health Ministry also placed nine cities under orange alerts, warning that the weather could negatively affect vulnerable groups, including older adults and people with existing medical conditions.
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Italy’s heat alert system ranges from green, indicating normal conditions, to red, which signals that extreme temperatures threaten the entire population. Officials urged residents to take precautions as soaring temperatures continue across much of the country. The current heat wave is being driven by a powerful African anticyclone carrying hot air across the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, firefighters continued battling multiple wildfires near Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse in Sicily. Authorities evacuated homes close to the fires as a precaution, while aircraft, helicopters, and ground crews worked to contain the flames. Another wildfire also broke out near the Solfatara volcanic crater close to Naples.
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Scientists say the combination of persistent high-pressure systems and human-driven climate change is making heat waves across southern Europe more frequent and intense. Italy has experienced repeated episodes of extreme heat in recent summers, increasing pressure on emergency services and public health systems. Officials continue to monitor weather conditions as temperatures are expected to remain unusually high.