Czech news in brief for July 31: Friday's top morning headlines

Good morning. Czechia broke temperature records at two-thirds of its long-running weather stations yesterday, with Doksany hitting 40.1°C. and forecasters say today could be hotter still. Firefighters are also making progress on a stubborn forest fire near Opava that has burned since Thursday, as tourists from Czechia are evacuated from wildfires in Greece. If you're looking for some relief out there, bookmark the city's cool oasis map, and let us know if the poll how you're coping. Here's your morning mix of headlines.

Czechia's ongoing heat wave shattered records across the country yesterday, with 114 of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute's 171 long-running stations logging their hottest day ever recorded for the date. Doksany hit 40.1°C, edging past a 1994 record, while Plzeň-Bolevec, Plzeň-Mikulka and Rokycany all topped 39°C. In South Bohemia, 19 of 20 stations set new highs, with Strakonice reaching 37.5°C. Moravia and Silesia stayed slightly cooler, around 37°C.

Friday forecast: The CHMU says even warmer air is moving in today, meaning Friday's highs could top Thursday's records. Saturday brings rain.

A forest fire burning since Thursday afternoon near Nový Vrbno in the Opava region has spread to roughly 27 hectares, but the number of units on scene is being scaled back this morning as crews gain control. At the fire's peak, 150 firefighters from 30 units worked the blaze, backed by two helicopters, water tankers and drone surveillance; roughly ten units remain on site today.

By the numbers: The fire triggered the third of four possible alarm levels, covering an area of about 200 by 300 meters.

The Interior Ministry has dropped proceedings that could have forced Slavia Prague to play a year of home matches without fans, concluding the club's security failures during May's riot against Sparta don't warrant further sanctions on top of what's already been imposed. The ministry found Slavia understaffed high-risk areas and failed to stop fans invading the pitch or protect the visiting section, but judged the club's tightened security measures and the Czech Football League Association's penalties sufficient.

That said: Slavia has since banned the fans involved for life and imposed a zero-tolerance policy on amateur fireworks at its stadium.

Wildfires on the Greek island of Crete forced the evacuation of 8,000 people from the resort of Agia Galini on Wednesday, prompting travel agency BlueStyle to move six Czech clients to alternative accommodation as a precaution. Other major Czech travel agencies, including Alexandria, Čedok, Exim Tours and Fischer, report no clients in the affected areas and no plans to cancel upcoming trips.

Worth watching: Fires have also broken out in eastern Crete near Sitia, largely contained, though forecasters expect renewed strong winds.

A collision between a tram, a car and a motorcycle on Zenklova Street on Thursday evening killed one person and seriously injured the motorcyclist, whose protective gear is credited with saving his life. The tram derailed, closing the street to traffic for three hours; replacement X10 buses covered the route until service resumed just before 8 p.m.

Good to know: The crash happened shortly after 6 p.m., so expect possible lingering effects on Zenklova Street tram schedules this morning.

Prague's Džbán natural pool remains closed to swimmers after hygienists found dangerous cyanobacteria levels there, and water quality has also slipped at Šeberák, Motol pond, Branická beach and Lake Lipence. Nationally, pools in the Vysočina, Hradec Králové, Liberec, Pilsen and Moravian-Silesian regions have also issued bans or shower advisories, while Central Bohemia's natural pools remain mostly clean.

Before you go: Check a pool's current rating before heading out. Hygienists grade water on a 1–5 scale, and anything at level 4 or 5 means no swimming, especially for kids, pregnant women, and anyone immunocompromised.

Let It Roll draws thousands to Lake Most. The self-described world's largest drum & bass festival kicked off Thursday with organizers expecting 20,000 visitors by Saturday; extra water stations and a lake-side sprinkler truck are on hand for the heat.

Recommended reading. Language experts at Charles University and a Czech lecturer based in Dijon break down what actually motivates people to learn Czech, from family roots to a fondness for Martina Navrátilová, and why the case system, not the notorious ř sound, is what really stumps students.

Prague Zoo's polar bear twins get three tons of ice. Gregor and Aleut received the icy treat as a cooling and enrichment measure Thursday, with zookeepers saying it may be repeated next week if the heat holds.