Hot Weekend for Europe, Officials Warn of Extreme Fire Risk

People swim in the river Limmat at Letten, in Zurich, Switzerland, on June 18, 2022. Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP

BERLIN—People flocked to parks and pools across Western Europe on Saturday for a bit of respite from an early heat wave that saw the mercury rise above 40 C (104 F) in France and Spain.

In Germany, where highs of 38 C (100.4 F) were expected, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach urged vulnerable groups to stay hydrated.