Europe wildfires force 300,000 to flee as France, Spain battle massive blazes
Authorities in France have evacuated around 250,000 people from the south-western regions of Gironde and Landes, with another 55,000 ordered to leave late Saturday.
More than 300,000 people have fled their homes as massive wildfires continue to sweep across France and Spain, driven by strong winds and extreme heat. In France, firefighters are battling fast-moving blazes near Bordeaux, while Spain has declared a state of emergency as fires rage around Madrid and other regions, reports stated.
Authorities in France have evacuated around 250,000 people from the south-western regions of Gironde and Landes, with another 55,000 ordered to leave late Saturday.
In Spain, nearly 60,000 people have been evacuated from the Madrid and Ávila regions, while thousands more remain confined to their homes. A man believed to be in his 70s was found dead in his car after a wildfire in Manises, near València.
— 112 Comunidad de Madrid (@112cmadrid) July 27, 2026
France battles unpredictable blaze near Bordeaux
BBC reported that French firefighters said the wildfire near Bordeaux remains far from under control, with strong winds creating erratic fire behaviour. Firefighter Captain Nicolas Braz said the blaze had generated “its own winds”, making it highly unpredictable.
Spain’s government declared a national emergency Friday after wildfires forced the evacuation of some 10,000 people in the central region of Madrid. The national emergency means that the interior ministry, which controls police and security forces, has taken charge of overseeing… pic.twitter.com/hKMj636qt1
France has deployed military personnel to help firefighters by clearing vegetation and creating firebreaks. French President Emmanuel Macron said the government would support for “as long as is needed.” The final stage of the Tour de France was also shortened to allow security personnel to assist wildfire operations.
Spain braces for worsening conditions
Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska warned that weather conditions were making firefighting efforts more difficult, with winds expected to push the flames further south. Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso described the blaze as the worst wildfire in the region’s history.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said around 130,000 hectares have burned in Spain so far this year, exceeding the country’s decade-long annual average of 100,000 hectares.
Smoke billows over a hillside as a fast-moving wildfire burns through vegetation in Spain amid extreme heat and strong winds. (Source: AP)
What caused the wildfires?
Officials say a combination of intense heat, prolonged dry conditions and powerful winds has fuelled the rapid spread of the blazes. Firefighters in France said gusts have made the fires erratic and difficult to contain.
EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said this year’s wildfire season started earlier than usual and warned Europe could see record levels of destruction. France has recorded about 98,000 hectares burned in 2026, while Spain has reported 130,000 hectares, BBC reported.
Story continues below this ad
Lahbib said another heatwave is expected, making new wildfires more likely across Europe.
High temperatures expected to worsen fire risk
Weather forecasts indicate that temperatures across the affected regions are expected to remain well above seasonal averages over the coming days, with dry air and gusty winds continuing to create dangerous fire conditions.
EU sends firefighting support
France has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania sending aircraft, helicopters and firefighting teams.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU has also deployed additional firefighting planes and helicopters to assist France and Spain.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Smoke billows over a hillside as a fast-moving wildfire burns through vegetation in Spain amid extreme heat and strong winds. (Source: AP)