Wildfires force mass evacuations in France and Spain as authorities deploy EU and military resources
More than 250,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain amid rapidly spreading wildfires, prompting the deployment of EU aircraft, French military planes, and additional international assistance.
Firefighters are battling extensive wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain, prompting the evacuation of over 250,000 residents. In Spain’s Castellón province, officials posted video of the flames and warned residents to stay away from the danger zone. The Community of Madrid announced that at least ten municipalities are evacuating, affecting roughly 50,000 people, and described the situation as an unprecedented emergency.
In France, the city of Bordeaux saw night-time evacuation alerts, and an exhibition centre has become a temporary shelter for families, retirees and children – the largest evacuation in the country since World War II. Authorities have deployed a military A-400M cargo plane adapted to drop flame retardant, along with more than 500 additional troops and medical personnel, to assist firefighting efforts in the Gironde region.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc has sent five aircraft and two helicopters from its RescEU fleet to France, and four aircraft to Spain. French interior minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the A-400M will make its first flight carrying up to 20 tonnes of water per sortie. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez visited the fire zones, announced a unified emergency command for the Madrid and Ávila sectors, and noted that resources from Greece, Italy and Portugal are being sent to support the response.
Meteorological conditions have intensified the fires. A wet winter spurred vegetation growth, which then dried rapidly after record-high May temperatures created a “flash drought.” Soil moisture levels are at historic lows for early summer, according to Météo-France, and the European Forest Fire Information System reports that this year’s fire-affected area exceeds the seasonal average, though it is slightly lower than the same period last year.
The heat wave has also impacted other events; the final stage of the Tour de France was shortened to reduce pressure on emergency services. French minister for international partnerships Éléonore Caroit urged tourists not to cancel plans, emphasizing that most of the country remains unaffected.
Overall, the combined national and EU response aims to contain the blazes while protecting displaced residents and supporting frontline firefighters.