Nearly 2,70,000 evacuated as wildfires rage across France, Spain

Nearly 2,70,000 people have been evacuated from parts of France and Spain as massive wildfires continue to burn out of control, forcing authorities to intensify emergency response efforts.

France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Saturday (July 25) that around 1,67,000 residents were evacuated from Bordeaux and the Gironde department in the southwestern Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, while another 30,000 people were moved to safety from neighboring Landes.

Nunez said wildfires have scorched nearly 98,000 hectares across France since the beginning of 2026, describing the scale of destruction as unprecedented. Several major blazes remain active despite ongoing firefighting operations.

In Spain, the Interior Ministry said the number of evacuees has climbed to 70,000, up by 25,000 from the previous official estimate, as fires continue to spread.

Local media reported that the worst-hit areas are around Madrid, where emergency crews are battling multiple fast-moving wildfires.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said protecting lives and densely populated communities remains the government's top priority, warning that containing the fires will be a difficult task.

Source: Qatar News Agency (QNA)