Wildfires across Europe cause destruction and evacuations

In southern Europe, around 23 July 2026, wildfires forced evacuations in France, Spain and Italy during a heat wave across the Mediterranean. Firefighters battled one of Spain’s biggest-ever wildfires, and thousands of people fled as temperatures reached extreme levels.

Near Madrid, several communities were evacuated because of a wildfire in Almorox, whose evolution was described as ‘positive’ although the fire was not yet stabilised. Der Standard reported 3,500 people evacuated west of Madrid, and El País reported more than 10,000 evacuated because of three simultaneous fires. Spain declared an emergency. A firefighter died in Sicily battling one of many wildfires burning in Italy, and fires were also reported near Bordeaux.