FLASH
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Temperatures are expected to rise again, while authorities warn that strong winds and a lack of rainfall could worsen the situation...
More than 300,000 people have been evacuated from areas hit by wildfires in France and Spain as emergency crews try to contain the flames before high temperatures return.
In France, the worst-hit area is the Gironde region, near the city of Bordeaux. Some 55,000 residents fled villages south of the city overnight, bringing the total number of evacuees in southwestern France to more than 220,000.
Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said the fire is located about 15 kilometers from the city limits and 25 to 30 kilometers from the center. He said authorities do not foresee, at this time, an evacuation of the city.
HELLISH SCENES as FIRE ENGULFS ENTIRE VILLAGE in France's Gironde
— RTVisual (@RT_Visual_on_X) July 26, 2026
Over 200,000 EVACUATED pic.twitter.com/kTmbDlM0se
According to French authorities, the fires have burned about 420,000 hectares of land, becoming one of the biggest forest disasters in the country since World War II.
Captain Nicolas Braz, one of the leaders of the operation, said the fire has created its own air currents and even tornadoes, making its movement unpredictable. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez called the situation "extremely unfavorable" and warned that the flames were moving towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
Dry vegetation and strong winds are helping the fire spread. Authorities have closed a section of about 60 kilometers of the A63 motorway to Spain, while Bordeaux airport has reported numerous delays.
President Emmanuel Macron promised long-term support for affected communities and stated that the state would help rebuild the devastated areas.
In Spain, more than 90,000 people have been evacuated from areas near Madrid and Avila. Environment Minister Sara Aagesen said the fires had burned about 77,000 hectares of land. She said the fire in Avila was the largest recorded in the country's modern history.
A new fire has also appeared near Valencia. Regional President Juanfran Pérez Llorca admitted that the size of the fire has exceeded local capacities to bring it under control.
A civilian was killed in Valencia, while two firefighters died during operations near Bordeaux.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the country faces difficult days ahead, although authorities have seen some signs of progress in containing the fires. He called for a national agreement to deal with the climate emergency. Temperatures are expected to rise again this week and no significant rainfall is forecast. This gives firefighters little time to consolidate the areas under control and prevent new outbreaks.
Horrific conditions in Casavieja, Spain, yesterday. With fierce winds driving smoke and embers through the area, firefighters from BRIF Puerto del Pico and the Castilla y León agency battle to protect homes and lives as the Burgohondo wildfire rages nearby.
— Volcaholic ???? (@volcaholic1) July 26, 2026
???? Bomberos… pic.twitter.com/PUpSDhuL71
Many residents are staying in temporary shelters, while others have refused to leave to protect their properties. Some villages in France have been almost completely emptied, while residents in mountainous areas of Spain report the destruction of small communities.
Experts warn that heat waves and prolonged drought, linked to climate change, are creating increasingly favorable conditions for large and difficult-to-control fires.
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