PARIS – Firefighters across parts of Europe were working Monday to control major wildfires before another heat wave arrives. The worst fires are burning in France and Spain, although Italy and other countries are also facing dangerous conditions. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes, hotels and campgrounds.
In southwestern France, officials said a huge fire near Bordeaux stopped growing overnight. However, the fire is not yet fully under control. It had moved within about 15 kilometers, or 9 miles, of the Bordeaux metropolitan area. Fire crews are cutting firebreaks and using planes to drop water and fire retardant.
About 220,000 people have been evacuated from France’s Gironde region. More than 250,000 people have left their homes across France, while about 79,000 people have been evacuated in Spain. Another 30,000 people in Spain were told to remain inside their homes. More than 330,000 people have been displaced in the two countries.
Spain is fighting large fires near Madrid and in the eastern Valencia region. A fire in Ávila, west of Madrid, has burned more than 50,000 hectares, or about 193 square miles. Spanish officials called it the largest wildfire in the country’s records. A separate fire in Almería earlier this month killed 13 people.
Italy is also dealing with wildfires. A fire near Peschici in the southern Puglia region forced about 300 tourists to leave beaches and campgrounds. Some people were taken away by Coast Guard boats. Firefighters and three water-dropping planes continued working on the fire Monday.
European countries are sending help to France and Spain. The European Union has sent seven planes and four helicopters to France. Six more planes were sent to Spain. Portugal also sent 134 firefighters and emergency workers, along with 41 vehicles. European satellites are helping officials map the fires and track their movement.
More than 300,000 hectares, or about 1,160 square miles, have burned in France and Spain this year. France has recorded more than 13,500 fires since January. Spain says about 153,000 hectares have burned there, about six times the amount burned during the first half of 2025.
Officials and scientists say extreme heat, low rainfall and dry plants have helped the fires spread quickly. June was France’s hottest June on record, with temperatures averaging 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Rainfall was almost 50% below average. Scientists say climate change is making European heat waves hotter and increasing the risk of severe fires.
Fire crews now face a race against time. Temperatures in southwestern France could rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while parts of Spain could pass 104 degrees. Officials say cooler weather has slowed some fires, but strong winds and rising temperatures could cause them to spread again.
