Heatwave in France heightens pollen allergy risk - and brings forest fires
Current heatwave is intensifying both pollen-related allergies and the risk of forest fires
High temperatures are encouraging the spread of grass pollen and increasing the outbreak of accidental fires
ShutterDivision / Shutterstock, Bumble Dee / Shutterstock
Heatwave has seen levels of grass pollen reach high thresholds across all of France whilst two wildfires broke out in the south of the country, yesterday, June 19
The warm weather forecast across France this weekend and throughout the rest of June is encouraging the spread of grass pollen, meaning people with hay fever and pollen allergies are likely to experience intensified symptoms.
Elevated pollution levels could also be contributing to the problem, as France's Ministry of Health has indicated that certain chemical pollutants, as well as high temperatures, can aggravate pollen allergies.
Atmo (the federation of approved air quality monitoring associations) reports levels of grass pollen have today (June 20) reached high thresholds across all of France, with the exception of some areas in the southern departments of Aude and Hérault.
These elevated pollen levels are forecast to continue through the weekend.
Atmo deems pollen allergies a “major public health issue” in France, affecting nearly one in three people.
Their interactive maps allow allergy sufferers to view and compare the pollen levels of six different species: Ragweed, Alder, Mugwort, Birch, Grasses and Olive.
Read also: Allergies: How to know pollen levels in your commune of France
France’s public health authority Haut conseil de santé publique and the national health insurance body, l’Assurance maladie, have issued key advice for reducing pollen allergy reactions, including:
Changing clothes after being outdoors to avoid bringing pollen into the home,
Rinsing hair in the evening, as pollen settles on hair,
Opening windows before sunrise and after sunset, as pollen starts being released into the air at sunrise.
Forest fires
The warm weather is also increasing the risk of forest fires, with particular alerts today (June 20) in the southern departments of Aude and Bouches-du-Rhône.
“The arrival of hot weather is causing the ground to dry up, making vegetation more fragile and encouraging the outbreak of accidental fires,” wrote Météo-France on social media.
The warning comes after two forest fires broke out yesterday (June 19) at 15:45 and 16:45 in the Aude communes of Roquecourbe-Minervois and Montbrun-des-Corbières.
In the first incident, around 60 firefighters quickly managed to control the fire, with monitoring operations underway to prevent it from flaring up again.
The second fire, which was larger, required the intervention of three groups of firefighters, involving some 120 people.
A further fire happened on June 18 in the commune of Tourouzelle (Aude), taking 65 firefighters and 14 fire engines to extinguish it.
Fire has destroyed thousands of acres of land over the past few years, particularly impacting the south of the country, with firefighters saying they desperately need better equipment.
When a fire breaks out, members of the public are encouraged to “watch out for sparks” and “avoid the area for [their] own safety and to facilitate access for emergency services,” wrote Aude’s fire and rescue service on social media.
Read also: Fire smoke from Canada seen over France: is it a health risk?
