Spain declares wildfire emergency as thousands evacuate

Spain declared a national emergency for wildfires for the first time on Friday, July 24, 2026, as massive blazes fueled by an extreme heatwave forced the evacuation of thousands west of Madrid and in neighboring Ávila. Simultaneously, a major wildfire on France's southwestern Atlantic coast led to the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, bringing the total number of people displaced across the two countries to tens of thousands.

The Spanish emergency declaration places the Interior Ministry in direct command of firefighting operations, mobilizing the Military Emergency Unit and national resources. Officials described a situation of "extreme gravity" as multiple fires burned out of control, threatening communities as close as 50 kilometers from the capital. More than 10,000 people were evacuated from towns including Chapinería, Villa del Prado, and Aldea del Fresno. A major fire front in the province of Ávila forced the evacuation of Burgohondo's 1,500 residents. Spanish officials said their highest priority was preventing several major fire fronts from merging, which would create a larger, more intense blaze.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated the government had...