Heat Wave in France Since Sunday, June 28, 2015Many French departments are currently experiencing a heat wave following a weekend during which temperatures began to rise significantly. Following an analysis of the situation conducted by Météo-France, the agency issued an orange heat wave alert for 26 departments and a yellow alert for 40 departments on Monday, June 29, 2015. As of 4:00 p.m. on July 1, 2015, 47 departments are under an orange heat wave alert and 25 under a yellow alert. In Poitou-Charentes, all four departments (Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres, and Vienne) have been under a yellow alert since Monday, June 29, 2015.For real-time information on weather conditions, you can consult the Météo-France alert map, which is updated at least twice daily at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the following website: http://vigilance.meteofrance.comLes. For behavioral and prevention recommendations from the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes), visit the following website:http://www.inpes.sante.fr/10000/themes/evenement_climatique/canicule/canicule-agir.aspLes Characteristics of the current heat wave (early onset, intensity, extent, indefinite duration), combined with aggravating factors (ozone pollution episode, start of the vacation weekend), should prompt us to exercise the utmost vigilance.