Wildfires are devastating large areas in southwestern Europe, forcing the evacuation of more than 325,000 people across France and Spain. These fires represent some of the worst in France since World War II and follow weeks of record-breaking heatwaves across the continent.

Authorities have mobilized thousands of firefighters to contain the blazes, including ongoing efforts near Bordeaux. France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, reported that approximately 115,000 hectares (284,171 acres) have burned in France since the start of the year.

In Spain, data from the Copernicus European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicated that 119,458 hectares (295,187 acres) had burned as of July 22. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that over 150,000 hectares have burned across Spain since January, which is six times the area destroyed during the same period last year.

The United Nations reported that wildfires destroyed 2.2 million hectares (5.4 million acres) of land in Europe in 2025, up from 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) in 2022.

The fires also impacted major events, disrupting the Tour de France finale in Paris on Sunday, July 27, 2026. Organizers shortened the race from 133 to 89 kilometers after security forces initially assigned to the event were redirected to firefighting efforts.

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