A powerful heat wave gripped much of Europe on Monday, bringing record-breaking temperatures, forest fires, and extreme weather warnings across several countries.

Warnings were issued for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the U.K., with forecasts predicting even hotter conditions by Wednesday before rain provides some relief.

“Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned from Seville, Spain, where temperatures soared to 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit). He urged world leaders to take action, adding, “The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous.”

Dr. Hans Kluge, head of the World Health Organization’s Europe office, shared the concern, saying the heat “silently threatens the people who need protection most: older adults, children, outdoor workers, and anyone living with chronic health conditions.”

In Portugal, authorities placed seven of the country’s 18 districts under a red heat warning, with temperatures expected to reach 43C (109F).

Spain’s national weather service said no relief from the year’s first heat wave is expected until Thursday. Sunday marked the hottest June 29 on record since 1950, with a national average of 28C (82F).

France increased efforts to protect homeless and elderly residents, setting up misting stations along the River Seine in Paris. Southern France faced its first major forest fires of the season, burning 400 hectares (988 acres) in the Aude region. Emergency services deployed water-dumping planes and 300 firefighters.

In Turkey, forest fires forced the temporary closure of Izmir Airport, with authorities evacuating four villages as a precaution. Fires near residential areas in Hatay province, near the Syrian border, led to the evacuation of 1,500 people.

Italy’s Health Ministry placed 21 cities under a “red” alert for emergency conditions, even for healthy individuals. Regional authorities in Liguria and Sicily restricted outdoor work. Torrential rains in northern Italy caused flooding in Bardonecchia near Turin after the Frejus River overflowed, with one fatality reported.

The U.K.’s national weather service said the Wimbledon tennis tournament could have its hottest-ever start, with temperatures just under 30C (85F). Players are allowed a 10-minute mid-match break if temperatures exceed 30.1C.

Southern Germany is preparing for temperatures up to 39C (102F) on Wednesday. Local authorities imposed restrictions on drawing water from rivers and lakes. In Berlin, zoo staff cooled elephants with water showers and gave bears ice blocks filled with fruit.