Spain Issues National Emergency As Wildfires Spread Across Europe, France Evacuates 40,000 People

Published 24 July 2026 · europe

Spain Issues Emergency As Wildfires Spread Across Europe, France Evacuates 40,000 People Published By, Last Updated: July 24, 2026, 16:15 IST An intense heat wave

Spain Issues Emergency As Wildfires Spread Across Europe, France Evacuates 40,000 People Published By, Last Updated: July 24, 2026, 16:15 IST An intense heat wave has caused wildfires to spread across swathes of Europe which has led to nations undertaking drastic emergency measures. Rapid Read Due to a very intense heat wave, wildfire has engulfed swathes of Europe leading to major Western European nations taking strong evacuation measures. (Source: Reuters) Spain has declared a national emergency over wildfires for the first time on Friday. France also sought help from the European Union as extreme heat drove fires across Europe and forced mass evacuations. French authorities ordered a full evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a major tourist hub, as reported by Reuters and The Guardian. Around 40,000 people left the area, many evacuated by boat, officials said.

In Spain, over 10,000 people fled towns in the mountains west of Madrid. Three major fires in the region and nearby Avila province pushed the government to step in. The emergency declaration allows Madrid to take full control of the response. This is the first time Spain has used such a measure for wildfires. The last time it declared the same level of emergency was during a nationwide power blackout last year. Fires Rage Across Spain In Navaluenga, in Avila province, residents stood watching helicopters pull water from the river. Many wore masks to protect themselves from thick smoke. “I’ve lived here for 36 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. Nor did I expect it. I thought they were going to get it under control last night, but it was already late, and it was all out of control," local resident, Javier Martin, told Reuters.

Spain has deployed more than 270 emergency workers and 40 ground units to the affected areas. Military Emergency Unit (UME) teams have also joined the effort, officials said. So far this year, more than 350 fires have hit Spain, according to the EU’s European Forest Fire Information Service. In 2025, fires destroyed a record area of land. France Seeks EU Support France’s evacuation order in Cap Ferret highlights the scale of the crisis. The region has high-value homes and is packed with tourists staying in camps and rental houses during the summer. French President Emmanuel Macron said he had asked the EU for help to control the blaze. The fire has already destroyed 8,700 hectares (21,500 acres). “France has requested the activation of the European Union’s civil protection mechanism," Macron wrote on X on Friday, adding that several specialist aircraft from other European countries should soon be on their way to help.