Spain braces for third consecutive heat wave starting July 22
Spain's third heat wave arrives July 22 amid ongoing wildfire crisis.
Event / Disaster
Spain Wildfire Crisis 2025
Major wildfires across Spain burning hundreds of thousands of hectares, forcing mass evacuations amid extreme heat waves and challenging emergency response efforts.
8 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 11 Jul, 10:59 UTC
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What happened
Major wildfire near Madrid burns 26,000 hectares in Spain
A wildfire that started on July 16 in the village of La Mierla in Guadalajara region, approximately 100 kilometers north of Madrid, has burned an estimated 26,000 hectares as of July 20. The fire has spread through forest areas including the Sierra Norte natural park.
Spain faces third heat wave starting July 22
Spain is preparing for its third heat wave of the season beginning Tuesday, July 22, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C across much of the country, which increases wildfire risk.
Secondary wildfire near Zaragoza burns 15,000 hectares
A separate wildfire near Zaragoza in northeastern Spain burned approximately 15,000 hectares and was contained as of Sunday evening. This fire resulted in no deaths.
No deaths reported in Madrid-area wildfire
The wildfire in the Guadalajara region has not resulted in any fatalities as of July 20.
Spain has burned 104,423 hectares in 2026 through July
As of July 20, 2026, approximately 104,423 hectares have been burned by wildfires in Spain since the beginning of the year according to Effis.
1,200 people evacuated from 28 municipalities in Spanish wildfire
More than 1,200 people were evacuated from 28 municipalities and hamlets in the fire zone as a precautionary measure. Authorities ordered evacuations of communities including Hiendelaencina, Congostrina, and San Andrés de Congosto.
Andalusia wildfire kills 13 people on July 9
A forest fire in Andalusia in southern Spain on July 9 killed 13 people and destroyed 7,000 hectares, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain's recent history.
Spain burned over 393,000 hectares in 2025
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis), more than 393,000 hectares were consumed by flames in Spain during 2025, marking the worst wildfire year in Spain's recent history.
France maintains aerial fleet of nearly 70 aircraft for firefighting
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that France possesses sufficient resources to combat wildfires, including a strengthened ground force since 2022 and an aerial fleet of nearly 70 aircraft. The fleet comprises 12 Canadairs, 8 Dash aircraft, 12 water-bombing helicopters, 6 water-bombing airplanes including Air Tractors, and approximately 30 additional aerial assets from departmental fire services.
111 people arrested for arson across France
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced 111 arrests nationwide for suspected arson and fire-related crimes, with the majority of arrestees acknowledging their involvement. The minister emphasized that nine out of ten fires are of human origin, either intentional or due to negligence.
Nearly 40,000 hectares of forest burned in France since start of 2026
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that nearly 40,000 hectares of forests and vegetation have been burned in wildfires since the beginning of 2026. This significantly exceeds the total burned in the previous year and in 2022 during the same period, which was already considered an exceptional fire season.
France issues elevated wildfire alert for 27 departments
Météo-France placed 27 departments on elevated wildfire risk alert on July 20, 2026, and six departments on orange heat alert. Interior Minister Nuñez warned that the upcoming week presents severe fire risk across southwestern and southeastern France due to extreme drought, abundant vegetation from late 2025 rainfall, and frequent wind conditions.
France orders four additional Canadair water-bombing aircraft
Interior Minister Nuñez confirmed that France has placed an order for four additional Canadair water-bombing aircraft, with two scheduled for delivery in 2028 and two in 2032, to strengthen firefighting capabilities.
Major wildfires strike Loire-Atlantique and Var departments
On July 19, 2026, multiple wildfires broke out in France. In Trignac, Loire-Atlantique, six houses were destroyed and approximately 20 hectares burned, requiring deployment of two water-bombing aircraft. In Taradeau near Saint-Tropez in the Var, about ten houses were destroyed, fifty more affected, with significant aerial resources deployed to contain the fire.
Nearly 40,000 hectares burned in French wildfires year-to-date
As of July 20, 2026, nearly 40,000 hectares of forests and vegetation have burned in wildfires across France since the beginning of the year. This significantly exceeds the total burned in all of 2025 and surpasses the amount burned in 2022 during the same period, which was already considered an exceptional wildfire season.
111 people arrested for arson across France
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that 111 people have been arrested nationwide on suspicion of arson, with the majority acknowledging responsibility for starting fires. This reflects that approximately nine out of ten wildfires have a human origin, whether intentional or accidental through negligence.
Six houses destroyed in Loire-Atlantique wildfire
A wildfire near Trignac in Loire-Atlantique burned approximately 20 hectares in a periurban area on July 20, 2026, destroying six houses. Two water-bombing aircraft were deployed to combat the fire.
Multiple houses destroyed in Taradeau wildfire near Saint-Tropez
A wildfire near Taradeau, northwest of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez in Var, destroyed approximately a dozen houses and impacted approximately 50 additional properties. Significant aerial resources were deployed to combat this fire.
27 French departments placed on high wildfire alert
Météo-France placed 27 departments on high alert for wildfire risk and six departments on orange alert for heat waves as of July 21, 2026, with elevated fire danger expected throughout the following week in southwestern and southeastern France.
France plans delivery of four new water-bombing aircraft
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that France has ordered four new Canadair aircraft for wildfire suppression, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2032. The order is partially funded by the European Union. Additionally, an Airbus A400M military transport aircraft will be equipped in the coming days with a kit to deploy up to 20,000 liters of water or fire retardant, equivalent to the capacity of two Canadair aircraft.
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2 alternative perspectives
Wildfire in Andalusia kills 13 people on July 9
Andalusia wildfire killed 13 people on July 9 during Spain's 2025 crisis.
Spain evacuates 1,200 residents as dual wildfires scorch 41,000 hectares
Spain evacuates 1,200 residents as two major wildfires burn 41,000 hectares across Madrid and Zaragoza regions.
Arson arrests reach 111 as law enforcement intensifies response
French authorities arrest 111 people for arson in escalating response to wildfire crisis.
France's wildfire toll climbs to 40,000 hectares with regional devastation
Nearly 40,000 hectares burned; 27 departments on high alert; four aircraft ordered.
Arson arrests surge to 111 across France amid wildfire crisis
France arrests 111 people for arson amid escalating wildfire emergency.
France escalates aerial firefighting capacity amid expanding crisis
France orders four more water-bombing aircraft, expanding aerial fleet to 70 as burned area reaches 40,000 hectares.
Six French departments brace for intense heatwave this weekend
Six departments enter heatwave alert as heat persists through early week.
Alert status escalates across France as multiple wildfires intensify
Four French departments escalate to very high wildfire risk as alert status expands to 27 departments nationwide.
France mobilizes massive response as wildfires consume 25,000 hectares
France combats historic wildfire crisis with 25,000 hectares burned and human activity blamed for 90 percent of fires.
France arrests 32 suspects in coordinated wildfire arson crackdown
France arrests 32 suspects in nationwide crackdown on suspected arson-related wildfire starts.