Wildfires and Heatwave Put 28 French Regions on Orange Alert
Listen to the story
France is dealing with both wildfires and a severe heatwave this summer. A heatwave is a long period of unusually hot weather.
Currently, 28 departments, or regions, in eastern France are under orange alert. This is the second-highest warning level, meaning the weather could be dangerous.
Earlier, western France was also under orange alert, but that warning has now ended for the west, while the east remains at risk.
In the Landes, a region in southwestern France known for its forests, firefighters say the fire has not seen a "major resurgence" in the last few hours. A resurgence means the fire growing strongly again.
This is seen as encouraging news, though the situation is still being closely watched.
Meanwhile, in the village of Garein, residents spent an anxious night as flames came close to their homes. One resident described the fire's approach as dangerous, saying a certain "beam" of flame heading their way was worrying.
Another person living through the summer's events said it is actually the quiet moments that make her most anxious, more than the visible fire itself. She feels that calm can hide unseen danger.
Across the country, many people are feeling the tension of a summer marked by both fires and extreme heat, with worry about what might happen next.
Vocabulary10 words
- wildfire
- a big, fast-burning fire in nature
- heatwave
- many days of very hot weather in a row
- department
- an official region in France
- orange alert
- a warning that weather danger is high
- resurgence
- something becoming strong again after slowing down
- anxious
- feeling very worried or nervous
- tension
- a feeling of stress or worry in a situation
- resident
- a person who lives in a place
- flame
- the burning, glowing part of fire
- calm
- quiet, with no trouble or noise
Quiz
Answer key
1. There is a high risk from dangerous weather 2. It has not had a major resurgence 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
France is dealing with both _____ and a severe _____ this summer.
Currently, 28 _____ in eastern France are under _____ _____.
In the Landes, firefighters say the fire has not seen a "major _____" in the last few hours.
In the village of Garein, _____ spent an _____ night as flames came close to their homes.
One resident described the fire's approach as dangerous, saying a certain beam of _____ heading their way was worrying.
Many people are feeling the _____ of a summer marked by both fires and extreme heat.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think authorities use alert levels like 'orange' during heatwaves and wildfires?
- How would you feel if a wildfire came close to your home, like in Garein?
- Why might quiet moments feel more frightening than loud, visible danger, as one person described?
- What can communities do to prepare for a summer with both heatwaves and wildfires?