Firefighters in France and Spain are working to contain major wildfires advancing toward Bordeaux and Madrid, as prolonged heat and drought intensify fire conditions across Western Europe. More than 250,000 people have been evacuated in the two countries, while the European Commission has warned that regional firefighting resources are under growing pressure during an unusually severe season.
France has recorded its largest burned area since national records began. According to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, 116,085 hectares have burned in 13,566 fires since January, exceeding the previous 2022 record of 72,000 hectares. Some outbreaks are occurring in traditionally fire-prone Mediterranean areas, but fires near Bordeaux are notable because the Atlantic region is less accustomed to such events. Researchers link those conditions to an extended drought.
Spain has reported more than 150,000 hectares burned since January, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said. That figure is six times the area affected during the same period in 2025. Across Europe, the total area burned is approaching the record set last year.
Experts identify several factors behind the scale and intensity of the fires. Rural land abandonment in southern Europe has allowed shrubs and other vegetation to spread, creating additional fuel. Critical drought, above-average temperatures and repeated heat waves have also dried vegetation, making ignition and rapid fire growth more likely.
World Health Organization data indicate that the area burned by European wildfires increased 57% over the past four years. Scientists say climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the likelihood of extreme events by contributing to prolonged heat and drought. Similar trends are being observed in many other regions worldwide, where researchers report longer fire seasons and greater fire severity than earlier climate models anticipated. Officials continue to prioritize evacuations and containment as forecasts and local conditions determine how quickly the fires can spread.