Over 250,000 Evacuated as Raging Wildfires Sweep France and Spain

France and Spain are battling massive wildfires, forcing the evacuation of over 250,000 residents as of Saturday, July 25, 2026. In France, fires in the southwestern Gironde and Landes departments have consumed over 35,000 hectares, with one blaze near Saumos spreading to more than 32,000 hectares. This fire is now advancing towards the metropolitan area of Bordeaux, prompting evacuations in several towns including Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc and parts of Mérignac.

Spanish authorities are facing significant challenges as well, with fires raging in Madrid and Ávila. Around 59,500 people have been evacuated from these regions, and over 28,000 others have been advised to shelter in place due to smoke. The fires in Madrid and Ávila have impacted approximately 45,000 hectares, with three separate blazes in Madrid merging into one large fire covering 24,000 hectares. The Burgohondo fire in Ávila affects an additional 21,000 hectares.

Spain has declared a national state of emergency in Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo provinces to coordinate a unified response. The country's Military Emergencies Unit (UME) is working alongside firefighters, deploying military personnel, aircraft, and managing evacuations. Despite these efforts, the head of the UME, Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Marcos Izquierdo, stated that the fires are not yet under control, though their expansion has been contained in some areas. He emphasized that while perimeters have been identified, they are not yet secure.

The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, reported that the leading edge of the fire in Gironde is approximately 30 kilometers from Bordeaux, urging people to avoid travel in the affected areas. The scale of these wildfires highlights Europe's increasing vulnerability to large-scale fires, exacerbated by climate conditions.

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The fires are not under control, but the situation is under control.