Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated as Wildfire Swirls Threaten Bordeaux and Madrid
Firefighters are scrambling to contain a blizzard of wildfires that have driven more than 250,000 people from homes and resorts across France and Spain. Strong winds are carrying flames toward the French port city of Bordeaux and threatening the outskirts of Madrid.
Evacuation orders were issued for seven towns west of Bordeaux overnight, while in Spain a state of emergency was declared as the heatwave and dry conditions worsened the situation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the crisis as “complex” and highlighted the possibility of a prolonged threat.
The French interior minister announced that 98,000 hectares have burned in 2026, and military forces have been mobilised to aid firefighters with brush‑clearing and fire‑break construction. EU civil‑protection teams, including planes and helicopters from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, are also on the scene.
A man believed to be in his 70s was found dead in a vehicle while firefighters battled a blaze in Manises, near Madrid. In France, the government deployed extra army reinforcements to support the blaze‑fighting units across the Gironde and Landes regions.
In addition to the fire danger, witnesses in Bordeaux reported the harsh smell of smoke blowing across the city, while holidaymakers in Saint‑Aubin‑de‑Médoc evacuated to safer locations. The final stage of the Tour de France was cut from 133 km to 89 km to free police and emergency crews for wildfire support.
Wildfires amplified by an earlier‑onset summer, record‑breaking heat, and a projected heatwave have raised concerns that this is the most devastating season for fire in Europe, according to EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.
Continued efforts to contain the blazes will likely involve future aerial water‑bombing operations and coordination among national and EU firefighting fleets.
