European wildfires force more than 250K evacuations across Spain, France
Raging wildfires are currently wreaking havoc across Spain and France, necessitating the evacuation of over 250,000 residents. An inferno is inching closer to France’s renowned Bordeaux wine region, while Spain has declared a nationwide emergency in response to the crisis. France has called in the military to aid in firefighting efforts, and the iconic Tour de France has been curtailed due to the relentless blaze.
In southwest France, more than 250,000 people have been uprooted from their homes as a colossal wildfire advances menacingly toward the illustrious wine hub of Bordeaux. Authorities are cautioning that the rapidly advancing flames are generating their own wind patterns, resulting in unpredictable and dangerous behavior.
French officials mandated an additional 55,000 evacuations overnight on Sunday, from towns south of Bordeaux, pushing the total number of evacuees in the affected area to approximately 250,000. The relentless blaze, fueled by strong winds, arid conditions, and successive heatwaves, has been burning uncontrollably since midweek, presenting an immense challenge for firefighters.
According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, firefighters faced an arduous night. In a Sunday statement, he warned of the ongoing “very unfavorable” situation as teams continue to battle the formidable blaze.
A snapshot captures firefighters combating flames in a forest near Lacanau, in southwestern France, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
“The fire again became extremely virulent again and unpredictable, generating its own winds and advancing erratically toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area,” Nunez posted on X, adding that the blaze “became calmer by the end of the night.”
The fire has now burned an estimated 42,000 hectares, or about 162 square miles — roughly four times the size of Paris — in the Gironde region. Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said the flames came within about 9 miles of the city, prompting officials to partially close a major highway into and out of the region.
More than 2,500 firefighters, backed by 18 planes and helicopters, are working to slow the fire’s advance. France has also deployed 1,500 soldiers to help clear vegetation and build firebreaks, while several European countries have sent aircraft and firefighting crews to assist.
Nunez said 450 volunteers have also pitched in to help.
“We came to lend a hand because if it were our region, we’d want others to do the same,” 65-year-old farmer Pascal Roudier told Reuters. “And given the scale of the disaster, we think our efforts are very welcome too.”
Firefighters battle a wildfire near Marcheprime, outside, Bordeaux, France, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
The Bordeaux-area fire is one of several major wildfires burning across France. A separate blaze in the neighboring Landes region has forced another 36,000 people to evacuate, while nearly 3,000 others have left their homes in southern France’s Var region along the Mediterranean coast.
Neighboring Spain is facing its own wildfire emergency.
A firefighter carries a hose while battling a wildfire in San Martin de Valdeiglesias, west of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Authorities there have evacuated about 116,000 people in recent days as fires burned across the Valencia region and west of Madrid. A fast-moving fire in a Valencia suburb killed one man Saturday, marking Spain’s first wildfire death in the latest wave of fires.
Earlier this month, 13 people were killed in southern Spain in the country’s deadliest wildfire in recent memory.