The story so far
France Spain Wildfires
Tracked across 5 sources · Updated 1d ago
In late July 2026, massive wildfires in France and Spain forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate. Spain declared a national emergency; France deployed the military. Over 300,000 evacuated, with record hectares burned. Macron vowed to rebuild.
How it unfolded
3d ago
Macron convenes crisis meeting; record hectares burned in France, Spain
4d ago
Over 300,000 evacuated as wildfires become worst in peacetime
5d ago
Macron praises unity, vows to rebuild as France battles wildfires
5d ago
Over 200,000 forced to flee or lockdown in France and Spain
6d ago
Spain declares national emergency as wildfires rage near Madrid
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →Storms born of flame: What ‘fire clouds’ are, and why Europe's worst wildfires in decades may burn for weeks
Pyrocumulonimbus, or 'fire cloud', formed over Gironde for the first recorded time in France, generating lightning and erratic winds that spread the fire.
Wildfires in France and Spain have forced over 300,000 people from their homes, with the Gironde blaze burning 420 sq km, about four times the size of Paris.
Spain's Ávila fire, at 500 sq km, is the largest in recorded Spanish history, a government spokesperson said.
A fresh heatwave arriving in France and Spain threatens to worsen the fires, which may burn for weeks according to officials.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the situation France's worst fire crisis since World War II, as the fire damaged or destroyed over 240 homes and injured 80 firefighters.
Earlier · 5d ago
Full story →50,000 Flee As Wildfires Ravage France, Spain
Earlier · 5d ago
Full story →Over 200,000 forced to flee or in lockdown as massive wildfires cause chaos in France and Spain
Over 200,000 people forced to flee or lockdown due to massive wildfires in France and Spain.
Spain declared a national emergency as the blaze remained difficult to control.
France ordered total evacuation of Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast.
Wildfire in south-west France burned through more than 19,000 hectares (47,000 acres) of forest.
Earlier · 4d ago
Full story →France, Spain wildfires force 267,000 to flee; Macron says, 'We will rebuild'
Wildfires in France and Spain forced 267,000 people to evacuate
French President Macron said 'We will rebuild' in response
Firefighters are battling massive blazes across both countries
Authorities are working to contain the destruction
Earlier · 4d ago
Full story →Macron praises 'united people' as France battles raging wildfires
French President Emmanuel Macron praised national unity and resilience against raging wildfires.
Macron confirmed full civil and military deployment to combat the fires.
He thanked European nations for their aid, stating 'This is Europe.'
Over 167,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 100,000 hectares have burned.
Macron vowed to rebuild the affected areas.
