France placed 12 south-western departments on the highest, red-level heat alert on Monday after Météo-France warned of “exceptional” temperatures likely to exceed 40 °C and peak at around 43 °C in Carcassonne and Angoulême. A further 41 departments were put on orange alert, and the national forecaster said the episode could rival historic heatwaves if forecasts hold. Health Minister Yannick Neuder described the day as “à haut risque” and urged the public to follow hydration and cooling guidance, stressing the need to protect older and isolated residents. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told prefects to track vulnerable people, keep hospital capacity available and consider limiting outdoor activities. With dry winds compounding the heat, 25 departments from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean were also rated at high risk for wildfires. Meteorologists expect the heat to persist across much of France through the week, while neighbouring countries face similar, though less intense, conditions. The UK’s Met Office issued a Yellow Heat Health Alert for most of England—temperatures are forecast to top 30 °C—and London authorities are coordinating assistance for rough sleepers. In the United States, Boston declared a heat emergency through Wednesday as the heat index is projected to reach the mid-90s °F, capping a broader late-summer warm spell across New England. Climatologists note that the frequency and geographic scope of such events are increasing, with former IPCC vice-chair Jean Jouzel warning the country to prepare for more prolonged and widespread heatwaves as global temperatures rise.