Canicule - French heat wave

In the US we had the hottest summer on record, and in France it's not looking much better. 109F in some southern French departments! With heat warnings including in Paris, especially after the heat wave in 2003 where so many people died. The word for heat wave in France is Canicule. http://www.france24.com/en/20120817-france-weather-government-ministry-health-braces-heat-wave-canicule-prevention-measures