The World is Caught in the Flames, Literally

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source: Maja Suslin

We have entered the month of August, and everyday we see news coverages, international and national, on record high heat, droughts, or other extreme weather conditions in this summer. In Japan, tens of people die of heatstrokes every year and many more get taken into hospitals to be treated, but this year the country had classified the heatwave a natural disaster. It has so far claimed more than 80 lives in Japan.

Besides the deaths from the heatstroke, the world is seeing numerous casualties related to global warming. There have been major breakouts of fire in places like Australia, California, Greece, and Scandinavia. The fire outside Athens, Greece has now claimed more than 90 lives. The experts are suspecting arson due to several fires occurring at the same time in the area, but the fires spread quickly due to strong winds, dry forests, and record high temperature.

Greece is hardly alone in the trenches of overwhelming wildfire. Sweden, a country where 70 percent of its territory is forrest, recently asked for foreign aids in combating its 44 wildfires. The affected counties are Gavleborg, Jamtland, and Dalarna. Another Scandinavian country, Denmark saw 449 fires in June alone, and in early July declared ban on open fire in the country such as barbecuing. Similarly, Switzerland has banned fireworks just before Swiss National Day in hopes to prevent any wildfire. The country known for its lakes and rivers and picturesque mountains is not exempt from the heatwaves. July was Switzerland's hottest month since records began over a hundred years ago, and the country is experiencing drought conditions such as decreased water level.


For further resources check out these websites:  https://wtop.com/world/2018/07/danish-authorities-ban-use-of-open-fire-amid-dry-weather/ , https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/mercury-rising_hot--dry-weather-racks-up-more-swiss-records/44289348

Keywords: Heatstroke, Heatwave, Japan Death Toll, Europe, Extreme Weather, Global Warming, Wildfire, Greece Fire, Athens Fire, Sweden Fire, High Temperature, Open Fire, Scandinavia Weather, Record Heat

By Eva Park

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