Europe battles fast-moving wildfires sweeping across Spain and France, in photos
Wildfires advance near Le Proge region, western France, Thursday, July 23, 2026.
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Massive forest fires are raging out of control in southwestern France and central Spain, forcing authorities to evacuate around 200,000 people. Dozens of firefighters have been injured, but no deaths have been reported. In France, 141,000 people have fled from the Gironde and Landes departments. In Spain, 60,000 have been evacuated. The fires have consumed large areas since Wednesday, with strong winds complicating efforts to control them. Both countries have requested help from the European Union. The fires are being fueled by a heatwave, with temperatures soaring and conditions worsening.
Authorities in France are evacuating suburbs of Bordeaux as a massive wildfire shifts toward the city. The prefect of the Gironde region orders the evacuation early Saturday, covering parts of three western suburbs, including the airport. Massive forest fires have forced the evacuation of about 200,000 people in southwestern France and central Spain. Residents fled towns near Madrid and Bordeaux on Friday as flames raged out of control. Firefighters and authorities in both countries were caught off guard by the fires, fueled by high temperatures and climate change. Some people in France even fled by boat.
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