Spain wildfires burn 152,000 hectares, force 270,000 evacuations across Europe

More than 152,000 hectares have been burned in Spain since January 2026, and nearly 270,000 people have been evacuated across Spain and France, making this one of the worst wildfire seasons on record. Source: Lavanguardia, Lavozar

Record devastation

• As of July 26, 152,678 hectares were burned in Spain, six times more than the same period in 2025, and 32 large fires (>500 ha) were recorded. Source: Lavanguardia, El Confidencial
• In France, over 197,000 were evacuated in Gironde and Landes. Source: Lavozar
• The fire in Ávila was called "the largest forest fire in recent Spanish history" by Minister Sara Aagesen. Source: Clarin

Megafires and atmospheric change

Experts describe these as "sixth generation" fires that create their own weather. The heat generates pyrocumulus clouds and lightning, making fires unpredictable. Source: Infobae, Lavanguardia During peak intensity, fires are "beyond extinction capacity" and strategy shifts to protecting lives. Source: Infobae

Disagreement over causes

While President Pedro Sánchez blames "climate emergency" and calls for a state pact Source: El Confidencial, others point to rural abandonment and lack of forest management. Paco Castañares argues "the problem is that we do not clean the mountains" Source: El Español. WWF cites "scant investment in prevention" Source: Lavanguardia. The debate is intense between ecologists and rural communities.

Political fallout

Ana Terradillos criticized Sánchez for proposing a climate pact but not addressing forest management Source: ABC. Sánchez visited affected areas and promised 300 million euros. Source: ABC