Out-of-control wildfires in France and Spain force evacuation of more than 220,000 people

Firefighters in France and Spain are struggling to contain widespread wildfires that have forced more than 220,000 people, including residents and tourists, to evacuate, as flames rapidly spread near Bordeaux and Madrid.

In Spain, the number of displaced individuals has exceeded 60,000. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that saving lives is the top priority, warning that extinguishing the fires would be complicated by strong winds.

In Madrid, two of three blazes merged into a single fire that has engulfed more than 6,000 hectares and is now out of control. Meanwhile, a man was arrested on suspicion of causing the Avila fire, which has consumed 9,000 hectares. The Guadalajara fire, which has burned 32,000 hectares, has seen its intensity decrease.

Controlling the blazes is becoming increasingly difficult due to multiple hotspots and a heatwave. Since the beginning of the year, fires have destroyed approximately 130,000 hectares in Spain, following a record-breaking 2025 in which over 393,000 hectares were burned.