Czech news in brief for August 2: Sunday's top afternoon headlines

Good afternoon. After a brief weekend break from the worst of the heat, Czechia is bracing for another prolonged heat wave, with temperatures set to climb back toward 40 degrees this week and wildfire danger remaining high.

Elsewhere, firefighters have extinguished the major Opava wildfire after three days, while the Czech Senate is pressing the government to speed up the rollout of a new EU disability card. Here's your Sunday afternoon roundup of the latest headlines.

Another intense heat wave will grip Czechia this week after a brief weekend cooldown, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 39 degrees Celsius in South Moravia and approach 40 degrees in some areas. Meteorologists warn the prolonged heat will bring severe to extreme heat stress and keep wildfire risk elevated.

Weekly forecast: Forecasters expect highs of 31–36 degrees across much of the country from Monday, with only isolated showers and thunderstorms possible on Wednesday and Thursday. Dry conditions are forecast to persist, raising concerns about worsening drought and fire danger, especially in southern Moravia.

The Czech Senate is urging the government to accelerate preparations for the European Disability Card so people with disabilities can begin using it within a year. The card is designed to make travel and access to services easier across the EU, with Czech legislation due by June 2027.

EU standard: Senators also called on the government to clarify how the new EU-wide card will work alongside existing Czech disability cards. Labor Minister Aleš Juchelka said the legislation is being prepared and will align with the country's broader disability rights strategy.

Firefighters have extinguished a large forest and field fire near Nové Vrbno in the Opava region after battling the blaze for three days. More than 70 fire units took part in the operation, which ended shortly after noon on Sunday. The fire broke out Thursday and prompted the third-highest fire alert level.

Fire response: Two helicopters, specialized equipment, and large-capacity water tankers were deployed before crews brought the blaze under control on Friday and declared it fully extinguished on Sunday.

The Czech National Bank is widely expected to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.75 percent when policymakers meet Thursday, according to analysts. The decision would follow June's quarter-point increase, the first interest rate hike in four years.

Eye on inflation: Analysts say persistent inflation risks remain, but recent data and comments from central bank officials support a wait-and-see approach. A pause would also likely keep mortgage rates stable through the coming months, economists said.

Czech authorities are asking the public to help watch for the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle capable of destroying entire ash forests within a few years. The pest was recently detected in Hungary and Slovakia and is now estimated to be about 250 kilometers from the Czech border.

How to help: The Agriculture Ministry's inspection authority is asking people to report suspected sightings of the metallic blue-green beetle or damaged ash trees by submitting photos and locations. Officials say public reporting will help detect the destructive pest before it becomes established in Czechia.