Event / Disaster
European Wildfire Crisis 2026
Record-breaking wildfire season across Europe in 2026, including major fires in France (Gironde, Var, Drôme), Spokane Washington, and Athens Greece, with concurrent heat waves causing mass evacuations and casualties.
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Coverage begins 22 Jul, 06:14 UTC
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What happened
220,000 people evacuated from Gironde wildfire
The wildfire in Gironde has forced the evacuation of 220,000 people from affected areas as of Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Wildfire burns 42,000 hectares in Gironde
The wildfire in Gironde has burned 42,000 hectares of land as of Sunday, July 26, 2026. The fire continues to advance toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
Major wildfire in Gironde destroys 240 homes
A major wildfire that began on Wednesday in the commune of Saumos in Gironde, France has destroyed 240 habitations according to a prefectural update published on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The previous count from Saturday afternoon reported 140 destroyed homes. Approximately 170 homes are damaged in the commune of Porge alone, where the fire originated near the Arcachon Basin.
75 firefighters injured battling Gironde wildfire
Seventy-five firefighters were injured while fighting the Gironde wildfire as of Sunday, July 26, 2026, with ten of them evacuated for medical treatment. The firefighter injuries occurred during efforts to contain the blaze.
Massive emergency response mobilized for Gironde wildfire
Emergency response efforts for the Gironde wildfire include 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,200 police and gendarmes as of Sunday, July 26, 2026. The emergency services are actively deployed to combat the fire and manage evacuation operations.
Police establish security operations in evacuated neighborhoods
Police established security operations to patrol and protect evacuated neighborhoods against break-ins and looting during the evacuation period. These operations were ongoing during the wildfire emergency response.
Eysines evacuated due to approaching wildfire
Eysines, a municipality of approximately 25,000 residents in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, was largely evacuated overnight from Friday to Saturday as the wildfire approached. The evacuation was part of the broader response to the Gironde wildfire threatening the region.
Man arrested for stealing 44 bottles of fine wine from evacuated home in Gironde
A man was arrested on Saturday, July 25, suspected of stealing 44 bottles of fine wine from a private property in Eysines, Gironde. Police patrols monitoring evacuated neighborhoods for break-ins stopped the man stationed in front of the property around 6:00 PM and discovered the bottles in his vehicle. The suspect, known to police and justice services, was placed in custody. Police described the theft as causing significant damage.
Wildfire in Gironde burns 42,000 hectares and forces 220,000 evacuations
A major wildfire in Gironde, France has burned approximately 42,000 hectares since Wednesday and forced approximately 220,000 people to evacuate their homes and vacation properties. The fire spread across the region near the Arcachon basin and threatens the outskirts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area. This fire is among the largest recorded in France since World War II.
French highway A63 and rail traffic disrupted by Gironde wildfire
The A63 highway between Bordeaux and Spain is closed for 60 kilometers due to the Gironde wildfire. SNCF rail traffic is interrupted south of Bordeaux until further notice. These transportation disruptions affect both domestic movement and traffic to neighboring Spain.
Var wildfire burns 4,500 hectares amid forecasted mistral winds
A wildfire in the Var department of southeastern France has burned approximately 4,500 hectares. The return of the mistral wind is expected to worsen conditions. Approximately 3,000 people have been evacuated from the region as a precautionary measure, and 1,100 firefighters remain mobilized to combat the fire.
Gironde placed under maximum fire alert level
The Gironde department was placed on Saturday under black alert status for wildfires, representing the highest level of alert. This alert includes prohibitions on using thermal and electric engines in forest-exposed areas and restrictions on human presence in forests.
Wildfire approaches within 15 kilometers of Bordeaux
The Gironde wildfire has advanced to within approximately 15 kilometers of Bordeaux, France's major southwestern city, at the level of Martignas-sur-Jalle. The fire's behavior remains unpredictable, creating its own wind patterns and evolving erratically. However, Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave confirmed that evacuation of the city itself is not currently planned.
Landes wildfire burns 3,600 hectares
A wildfire in the Landes department of southwestern France has burned approximately 3,600 hectares since Thursday. The fire's edges remain highly active, though it is described as better contained than the Gironde fire. Approximately 3,000 of the 30,000 displaced persons were authorized to return to their homes on Saturday evening.
Major wildfire in Gironde, France burns 42,000 hectares
A large wildfire in the Gironde department of southwestern France has burned approximately 42,000 hectares since Wednesday. This makes it one of the largest fires recorded in France since World War II, comparable to the 1949 Landes fire which burned around 50,000 hectares and remains the deadliest wildfire in French history.
Extreme heat and drought conditions contribute to wildfire severity
European forests and soils have become severely dry due to months of drought conditions, exacerbated by exceptionally high temperatures in June and July. Climate scientists from the World Weather Attribution group concluded in a study published Thursday that climate change caused by fossil fuel combustion is making the current drought more severe. An additional heat wave is forecast for the following week.
Approximately 4,150 firefighters mobilized in France to combat wildfires
A large firefighting response has been deployed across southwestern France. In Gironde, 2,500 firefighters are mobilized including a Swiss contingent, supported by 1,500 military personnel. The Landes region has approximately 550 firefighters, and the Var region has 1,100 firefighters. Additionally, 18 aerial firefighting means and the military A400M aircraft are engaged in suppression efforts.
220,000 people evacuated from Gironde due to wildfire
Approximately 220,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Gironde as a result of the spreading wildfire. Five additional communes were evacuated during the night of July 26, affecting nearly 50,000 people. This represents one of the largest evacuation operations ever organized in France due to wildfires.
Landes wildfire burns 3,600 hectares, 30,000 evacuated
A wildfire near Biscarrosse in the Landes region of France, which started on July 23, 2026, had burned 3,600 hectares by July 26 and was described as better contained but not yet fixed. Over 30,000 people were evacuated from Biscarrosse and neighboring communes Parentis-en-Born and Sanguinet, including occupants of two campgrounds. By July 27, 3,000 evacuees had returned to their homes in stabilized sectors.
One death reported in wildfire near Valencia
One person died in a fire near Valencia on Saturday evening, July 25, 2026, according to the municipality of Manises.
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