Madrid, Spain. Spain declared a national emergency over wildfires for the first time on Friday as extreme heat fuelled fires across Europe and forced tens of thousands of evacuations. France also requested European Union assistance to fight a major blaze on its Atlantic coast.
Emergency declared in Spain
More than 10,000 people were evacuated from towns in the mountains west of Madrid after three fires in the region and neighbouring Avila province.
The national emergency declaration allows the Spanish government to coordinate the response. It was the first time Spain had taken the measure because of a wildfire. The same level of alert was last declared during a nationwide power blackout last year.
Spanish officials said more than 270 emergency personnel and 40 ground units had been deployed, alongside several contingents from the Military Emergency Unit (UME).
Fire response in Avila
In Navaluenga, in Avila province, residents wearing masks because of smoke watched firefighting helicopters collect water from the town’s river late on Thursday.
“I’ve lived here for 36 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. Nor did I expect it,” local resident Javier Martin told Reuters. “I thought they were going to get it under control last night, but it was already late, and it was all out of control.”
More than 350 fires have burned in Spain so far this year, according to the EU’s European Forest Fire Information Service. A record surface area was destroyed in 2025.
Evacuations in France
French authorities ordered the complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, an Atlantic coast tourism destination, because of a large wildfire.
Officials said about 40,000 people were evacuated, with many taken to safety by boat. The area includes valuable properties and was occupied by tourists staying in campsites and rental homes.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had requested EU firefighting support for the Cap Ferret blaze, which has destroyed 8,700 hectares, or 21,500 acres.
