Cracked and dry earth is seen in the wide riverbed of the Loire River near the Anjou-Bretagne bridge as a heatwave hits Europe, in Ancenis-Saint-Gereon, France, June 13, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane MahePARIS, June 15 (Reuters) - More than 100 firefighters were deployed on Wednesday to tackle a forest fire in southern France, as forecasters said one of the earliest heatwaves in decades was threatening to engulf parts of the country. State forecaster Meteo France said a "severe and early heatwave", caused by a mass of hot air moving up from north Africa, was settling in. In Paris, the mercury could reach 35 Celsius on Saturday before an expected storm cools temperatures, Meteo France said. Neighbouring Spain is enduring its earliest heatwave in over 40 years, with temperatures topping 40°C in some central and southern areas this week.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 15, 2022 18:44 UTC