A department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Since late July 2026, fast-moving wildfires have forced more than 200,000 people to flee across southwestern France and central Spain. Fires have scorched tens of thousands of hectares, pushed toward Bordeaux and areas west of Madrid, injured firefighters, prompted France to deploy soldiers and led Spain to declare a national emergency.
The Tour de France’s final stage has been shortened from 133km to 89km and moved to finish in Paris with two circuits on the Champs-Élysées and a Montmartre finish. Emergency services are being redeployed to fight wildfires in southwest France and Spain, with security forces reassigned to affected areas. Tadej Pogačar is poised to win a fifth yellow jersey.
Wildfires have ravaged large areas west of Madrid and across the Gironde and Landes regions, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Authorities report stabilisation in some areas, while heatwaves and drought deepen risk. Residents return home or relocate as the crisis continues to evolve in Spain, France and nearby countries.
Belgians battle a historic wildfire in the High Fens as Europe endures a heat-driven fire season. Firefighters are reinforced by EU civil-protection aid; evacuations continue in several villages as authorities warn homes may be at risk.