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Wildfires in France and Spain: Cap Ferret evacuated, EU deploys water-bombing aircraft
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
On July 24, 2026, French authorities ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula (Gironde), threatened by two simultaneous fires that crossed the firefighters' firebreak during the night, bringing the burned area to over 10,000 hectares. France activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is deploying 3 water-bombing aircraft. Emmanuel Macron describes the situation as "very intense". In Spain, a state of national emergency is declared, with over 10,000 people evacuated near Madrid and Ávila.
- Cap Ferret peninsula (Gironde) totally evacuated before 10am on July 24, 2026
- Over 10,000 hectares burned after firefighters' firebreak was breached overnight
- EU deploys 3 water-bombing aircraft via its civil protection mechanism
- Spain declares national emergency with over 10,000 people evacuated
- Macron describes situation as 'very intense'
What we know
French authorities have ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula — a coastal strip in Gironde (south-western France) separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Arcachon Basin. Residents were required to leave by 10am on July 24, 2026, according to The Guardian, either by one of hundreds of boats mobilised or via the single road linking the peninsula to the mainland.
Two simultaneous fires crossed the firebreak established by firefighters overnight on July 23-24. Over 10,000 hectares are now affected in south-western France.
Emmanuel Macron described the situation as "very intense".
very intense
— Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, July 24, 2026
EU mobilises its civil protection mechanism
France formally requested, on July 24, 2026, the activation of the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism — a system established in 2001 that allows EU member states and ten partner countries to coordinate their assistance in the face of a disaster exceeding the capacity of a single country.
In response, the European Commission's Crisis Management Commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, confirmed the deployment of 3 water-bombing aircraft — amphibious vessels specialised in aerial firefighting.
The situation in Spain
Spain declared a state of national emergency on July 24, 2026, in response to active forest fires near Madrid and Ávila. Over 10,000 people were forced to evacuate.
One fire is burning near Burgohondo, in the province of Ávila.
Timeline
- Night of July 23-24, 2026Two simultaneous fires in south-western France cross the firefighters' firebreak. The affected area exceeds 10,000 hectares.
- July 24, 2026, before 10amFrench authorities order the total evacuation of Cap Ferret peninsula (Gironde). Residents must leave via hundreds of mobilised boats or via the single road connecting the peninsula to the mainland.
- France activates the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU deploys 3 water-bombing aircraft, confirmed by Commissioner Hadja Lahbib. Emmanuel Macron describes the situation as "very intense". Spain declares a state of national emergency with over 10,000 people evacuated near Madrid and Ávila.
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