The French government took the unprecedented step of activating an "Orsec extreme heat plan" on Friday for departments facing a renewed heatwave that is forecast to stretch into next week.
The "Orsec extreme heat plan" was activated in the departments subject to a red heat alert and applies to Morbihan (56), Ille-et-Vilaine (35), Mayenne (53), Sarthe (72), Loire-Atlantique (44), Vendée (85), Maine-et-Loire (49), Vienne (86) and Deux-Sèvres (79).
"There have been consultations, exchanges and work carried out," government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told French broadcaster TF1.
Nine departments in the west of France were placed on red alert for extreme heat on Friday while 72 are under an orange alert, national weather forecaster Météo France said.
The red heatwave warning will be extended to 24 departments, including all the departments of Ile-de-France, on Saturday at 12:00, the forecaster said.
