A couple holds an umbrella to protect from the sun Thursday, June 27, 2019 at the Louvre museum in Paris. Around France, some schools are closed because of high temperatures, expected to go up to 39 degrees in the Paris area (102 F) later this week. Such temperatures are rare in France, where most homes and many buildings are not air-conditioned. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
The Associated Press
PRAGUE (AP) - France's national weather service issued its highest-level danger alert Thursday as it warned that parts of the country could expect temperatures to reach an "exceptional peak" Friday amid a record-setting heat wave in Europe.
Meteo France raised the hazardous weather warning to "red," the highest level, for the Marseille and Montpellier areas in southeastern France, forecasting hazardous temperatures of 42-45 degrees Celsius (107-113 F) on Friday.
It was the first red alert Meteo France activated since a four-level weather "vigilance" system was introduced following an estimated 15,000 heat-related deaths in France during a 2003 summer heat wave.
"A heat wave of this amplitude so early in the year, in June, is exceptional," Meteo France meteorologist France Christelle Robert said. "We should expect more intense and frequent heat waves with climate change, because it will accentuate the extremes."
The Italian Health Ministry said seven cities, including Florence, Rome and Turin, already were at Italy's highest heat warning level Thursday. On Friday, 16 cities will be under alerts for high temperatures.
Italian authorities instructed people to avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day and to stay away from areas with a lot of vehicle traffic to prevent ozone exposure.
In France, a red extreme weather warning advises extra precautions for children and older people and cautions that even those in good health are at risk of heat stroke.
Most of the rest of France remained on the next-highest "orange" alert. In Paris and other big cities, including Marseille, authorities banned older cars since high heat exacerbates air pollution.
Amid the blistering weather in Europe, hundreds of firefighters struggled to contain a wildfire in northeastern Spain that forced the evacuation of 53 residents.
Firefighters said temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius (86 F), low humidity and high winds fanned the flames.
Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister, said authorities suspect the Catalonia region's worst fire in two decades started when the heat caused improperly stored chicken manure to combust at a farm.
In the Czech Republic, where a new June temperature record was set this week, were set this week, gorillas and polar bears at Prague's zoo kept cool by eating their own version of sorbet.
Zookeepers have presented the animals with big blocks of frozen water in a form that suits them, and with ingredients to suit their tastes.
The gorillas had two blocks with a mixture of fruits inside, including pieces of orange, apple, pear, kiwi, carrot, pineapple and mango, hanging from ropes in their outdoor enclosure.
The zoo's eight Western lowland gorillas stuck to a clear hierarchy. Richard, the dominant male, had a chunk of ice for him own. The other seven have to share one among them all.
The three polar bears get an icy block each. Fish is the main ingredient.
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Palma d'Ebre, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored manure. Firefighters say that high temperatures and a drop in humidity will likely fan the flames. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras)
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A polar bear enjoys an ice cream, prepared from fish, fruits and vegetables, on a hot and sunny day at the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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People refresh on the banks of the Ticino river, in Bereguardo, near Pavia, northern Italy, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Temperatures in Northern Italy are forecast to hit 40 C on Thursday. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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People cools off at a fountain in Milan, Italy, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Temperatures in Northern Italy are forecast to hit 40 C on Thursday. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP)
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A Western lowland gorilla rests in the shadow on a hot and sunny day at the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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A polar bear enjoys an ice cream, prepared from fish, fruits and vegetables, on a hot and sunny day at the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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A Western lowland gorilla holds on to her ice cream, prepared from fruits and vegetables, on a hot and sunny day at the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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A polar bear shakoes off water after a swim on a hot and sunny day at the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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People refresh on the banks of the Ticino river, in Bereguardo, near Pavia, northern Italy, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Temperatures in Northern Italy are forecast to hit 40 C on Thursday. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Palma d'Ebre, near Tarragona, Spain, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Authorities suspect the cause of the outbreak was a deposit of improperly stored manure. Firefighters say that high temperatures and a drop in humidity will likely fan the flames. (AP Photo/Jordi Borras)
The Associated Press
Children water their belongings to cool off Thursday, June 27, 2019 outside the Louvre museum in Paris. Around France, some schools are closed because of high temperatures, expected to go up to 39 degrees in the Paris area (102 F) later this week. Such temperatures are rare in France, where most homes and many buildings are not air-conditioned. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
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A man cools off at a fountain in downtown Turin, Italy, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Temperatures in Northern Italy are forecast to hit 40 C on Thursday. (Alessandro Di Marco/ANSA via AP)
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A woman stops at the shade Thursday, June 27, 2019 outside the Louvre museum in Paris. Around France, some schools are closed because of high temperatures, expected to go up to 39 degrees in the Paris area (102 F) later this week. Such temperatures are rare in France, where most homes and many buildings are not air-conditioned. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
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A woman holds a sunshade Thursday, June 27, 2019 outside the Louvre museum in Paris. Around France, some schools are closed because of high temperatures, expected to go up to 39 degrees in the Paris area (102 F) later this week. Such temperatures are rare in France, where most homes and many buildings are not air-conditioned. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
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