More than 65,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes across Spain and France as massive wildfires continue to rage, destroying thousands of hectares of forest, dozens of homes, and overwhelming emergency services amid extreme heat and strong winds.
In Spain, around 25,000 people have been evacuated while another 20,000 remain confined due to rapidly spreading wildfires near Madrid, according to Francisco Martín, the Spanish government’s delegate to the Madrid region.
Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso described the disaster as “the worst wildfire in the region’s history,” warning that scorching temperatures, powerful winds, and multiple active fire fronts have created a “perfect storm.”
“The situation is completely unprecedented and catastrophic. Our priority is saving lives,” Ayuso said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also described the crisis as “dramatic,” as firefighters continue battling blazes that have already devastated vast stretches of land.
Carlos Novillo, head of Madrid’s emergency management agency, warned that the wildfire threatening the capital has reached its most dangerous phase and now exceeds the capacity of firefighting teams to contain it.
According to Novillo, the flames are advancing toward the municipalities of Robledo de Chavela and Fresnedillas de la Oliva. In several areas, emergency crews have been forced to abandon direct firefighting efforts and instead focus on protecting lives and residential communities.
Authorities have also issued air quality warnings as thick smoke blankets large parts of the region. Residents—particularly children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions—have been urged to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid unnecessary travel outside.
Meanwhile, in southwestern France, more than 44,000 people have been evacuated over the past two days as another major wildfire continues to spread.
Local prefect Sophie Brocas said the blaze has already burned more than 12,500 hectares of forest, destroyed 53 homes and a campground, and prompted additional precautionary evacuations in the communities of Arès, Andernos, Le Temple, and Saumos.
Among those forced to flee was 86-year-old Ecologio Cabrera, who has lived in the village of Aldea del Fresno for nearly three decades.
“If you don’t leave and try to fight it yourself, it will consume you,” Cabrera told AFP, recalling the moment firefighters ordered residents to evacuate immediately.
Emergency crews in both countries remain on high alert as soaring temperatures and dry conditions continue to fuel the fast-moving wildfires, with officials warning that the situation could deteriorate further in the coming days.
