Climate

Wildfires in France and Spain: 270,000 evacuated as unprecedented fires devastate region

Herz — Climate Desk · 25 July 2026 at 18:16 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

Unprecedented forest fires are devastating southwestern France and multiple regions of Spain since July 24, 2026, forcing the evacuation of approximately 270,000 people. In France, 167,000 residents of Gironde and approximately 30,000 in the neighboring Landes department have left their homes. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez declared that France has never experienced fires of this magnitude. In Spain, over 70,000 people have been displaced by mega-fires. Experts estimate that only a weather change can help contain these fires.

Approximately 270,000 people evacuated in total across France and Spain
In Gironde, fires burned an area equivalent to four times the size of Paris
Spain's largest fire destroyed approximately 32,000 hectares in Guadalajara
Multiple fires near Madrid merged into a mega-fire still active
Experts deem certain fires uncontrollable without a weather change

What we know

Forest fires of unprecedented scale are ravaging southwestern France and multiple regions of Spain. According to DW and Die Zeit, the French Interior Ministry recorded at least 32 active fires simultaneously on July 24, 2026.

In France, fires in the Gironde department burned an area equivalent to four times the size of the city of Paris. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez declared that France has never experienced fires of such magnitude.

In Gironde, 167,000 people were evacuated. Approximately 30,000 others were evacuated in the neighboring Landes department. In total, approximately 270,000 people left their homes across France and Spain combined.

In Spain, over 70,000 people were displaced. The country's largest fire, in the province of Guadalajara northeast of Madrid, destroyed approximately 32,000 hectares.

Mega-fires: multiple fires merge near Madrid

Two of three fires west of Madrid merged to form a mega-fire. This front could still join with an ongoing fire in the neighboring Castile and León region.

By July 25, 2026, multiple fires near the Spanish capital had already combined into a large fire front. The Spanish government reported "considerably" improved weather conditions, slowing the spread of flames.

Timeline

July 24, 2026
At least 32 active fires are recorded simultaneously in France. West of Madrid, two of three fires begin merging into a mega-fire.
July 25, 2026
Pedro Sánchez visits the sites in Spain. Sébastien Lecornu orders the deployment of a military A400M aircraft to combat fires in southwestern France. Multiple fires near Madrid combine into a large fire front. Madrid reports "considerably" improved conditions.

Government response

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered the deployment of an Airbus A400M Atlas — a multipurpose military transport aircraft designed by Airbus Defence and Space, in service since 2013 — to combat fires in the southwest.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the sites on July 25, 2026, and declared that the priority objective was to "save lives".

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul offered Germany's support for firefighting operations via X.