Fire crisis in Europe: Thousands evacuated, France activates EU mechanism, Spain declares state of emergency in Madrid

The spread of flames in Western Europe is taking on increasingly worrying proportions, forcing thousands of citizens and holidaymakers to leave behind their homes and camping areas. Faced with this situation, the French government turned to the European Union’s civil protection mechanism, while the Spanish authorities imposed a state of emergency in the capital region.

In Spain, the evacuation order has affected more than 10,000 residents in recent days, after the government declared a state of emergency in Madrid. The most at-risk areas are in Guadalajara and the western part of the metropolitan area, where hundreds of firefighters and military forces are being mobilized to stop the advance of the fire.

Meanwhile, in southwestern France, around 20,000 people have been evacuated since Wednesday from the Bordeaux district, as coastal pine forests are engulfed in flames. Emergency teams, assisted by water-dropping aircraft, are trying to protect homes and tourist infrastructure. According to officials, the fire has been partially brought under control, but remains active in some directions.

President Macron confirmed that France has requested assistance from the European Union, and the European Commission has responded by sending three firefighting aircraft. In the Cotignac region, in the southeast of the country, around 25 homes have been completely destroyed by the fire.

Italy is also experiencing a critical situation, with dozens of active hotspots in Sicily and Calabria. One firefighter has died during operations in Sicily, while investigators are examining suspicions of arson in some cases.