Paris/Madrid, July 24 (SANA) Wildfires fueled by an intense heatwave continued to spread across parts of southern Europe on Friday, prompting France and Spain to seek additional support as authorities struggled to contain blazes threatening communities and large areas of land.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France had requested assistance from the European Union to help tackle a major wildfire near the Atlantic coast, with the situation remaining “extremely tense” in several regions, particularly Gironde.
France activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is set to receive support from European partners, including firefighting aircraft from Croatia and Portugal, as well as helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
French authorities said more than 10,000 people were evacuated overnight in southwestern France after a fast-moving wildfire burned around 6,000 acres of land west of Bordeaux.
In Spain, authorities declared a national emergency in Madrid and Avila as multiple wildfires continued to spread, with some fires becoming difficult to control.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government had deployed all available resources to fight fires affecting several regions, including Avila, Leon, Toledo and Madrid, urging residents to remain vigilant and follow official safety instructions.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in recent days from areas affected by wildfires in the Madrid region, while around 3,500 residents were ordered to leave their homes in a town west of the capital after one blaze spread beyond control.
In Avila province, authorities urged residents of several municipalities, including Burgohondo, El Tiemblo and Navaluenga, to remain indoors as flames approached populated areas. Around 1,500 people were evacuated from a rural tourist complex and residential area in El Tiemblo due to the advancing fires.
A major wildfire in Guadalajara province, northeast of Madrid, has burned around 32,000 hectares since it began last Thursday, according to Spanish authorities.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed that wildfires in Spain have burned around 125,000 hectares since the start of the year, compared with about 393,000 hectares during all of 2025.
The latest fires have heightened concerns across southern Europe, where prolonged heat, dry conditions and strong winds have increased wildfire risks, placing further pressure on emergency services and driving calls for greater coordination and support among EU countries.
T.S /ABD
