Wildfires force 160,000 evacuations in France, Spain as military deployed

Wildfires in southwestern France near Bordeaux and around Madrid have forced more than 160,000 people to evacuate, with 141,000 in France and 25,000 in the Madrid region, while nearly 40,000 Spaniards were told to stay indoors. The blazes have scorched about 22,000 hectares in France and 32,000 hectares in Spain’s Guadalajara province, overwhelming hundreds of firefighters battling exhaustion.

The fires, described as the worst on record in both countries, were fueled by successive heatwaves since May, a pattern scientists link to intensifying climate change. In France, the flames threaten the greater Bordeaux area, home to many of the world’s most prestigious wineries, and have already led to the evacuation of 44,000 from the Cap Ferret peninsula. Three firefighters have died in wildfires across France and Italy this week, and around 40 of 1,000 French military personnel deployed have been injured.

French President Emmanuel Macron ordered 1,000 troops into the fight, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised 1.5 million protective masks for Gironde, and Spanish officials warned that rising winds could worsen conditions. Stay informed through reliable channels, reflect on climate preparedness, and check travel advisories if you have plans to visit affected European regions.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/25/160000-evacuated-as-record-wildfires-ravage-france-spain/