French President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting as massive wildfires in the Gironde region have displaced more than 250,000 people, with officials reporting a tentative stabilization overnight. Firefighters on land and from the air are racing to contain flames before a forecast heat surge could worsen conditions. Spain is also battling out-of-control blazes near Madrid and Valencia, where 76,000 people have been evacuated and 30,000 confined. Evacuees described apocalyptic scenes and deep concern for their homes and possessions.
Macron Calls Crisis Meeting As Massive Wildfires Force 250,000+ From Their Homes
A fire engine drives through smoke of a wildfire raging near Marcheprime, outside, Bordeaux, France, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)(AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
LEGE-CAP FERRET, France — French President Emmanuel Macron convened a government crisis meeting Monday as massive, uncontrolled wildfires swept across southwestern France, forcing more than 250,000 people from their homes and threatening one of the nation's most important wine regions.
A woman caresses her pet dog at an emergency shelter set up in the Bordeaux Exhibition Centre in Bordeaux, France, for those that had to leave their homes outside town due to the raging wildfires, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)(AP Photo/Caroline Blumberg)
Situation in Gironde
In the Gironde department, flames have scorched an area roughly four times the size of Paris. Authorities reported that conditions overnight were "globally stable," a hopeful shift after days in which the blaze edged closer to Bordeaux. No new evacuations were announced Monday, but officials expanded restrictions to keep visitors away during the peak August tourist season, banning holiday camps for children and programs for people with disabilities.
Firefighters battle a wildfire near Marcheprime, outside, Bordeaux, France, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)(AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Fire crews on the ground, supported by water- and retardant-dropping aircraft, continued a massive containment effort, racing to gain ground before a forecasted rise in temperatures beginning Tuesday that could complicate firefighting operations.
Firefighters battle a wildfire near Marcheprime, outside, Bordeaux, France, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)(AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Government Response
President Macron presided over Monday's crisis meeting and pledged sustained support for affected communities. In a post on X over the weekend he wrote:
A firefighter gestures next to burning trees as a wildfire rages near Marcheprime, outside, Bordeaux, France, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)(AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
"We will rebuild, we will repair and we will be present for as long as necessary."
Fires Across the Border in Spain
Across the border, wildfires burned out of control around Madrid and prompted evacuations in the Valencia region. Spanish authorities said about 76,000 people have been evacuated and another 30,000 confined to their homes.
Evacuees described scenes of devastation and uncertainty. "It looked like the apocalypse. You couldn't see anything. Everything was covered in ash," said Rocío Domínguez, who evacuated from Chapinería, west of Madrid, with her dog, Simba. "We don't know when we get to the town, if we'll have half the house burned down or we'll have it intact or we won't have a house. All the clothes, all the memories, everything."
What’s next: Authorities in both countries are focusing on containment ahead of the forecast heat surge, while emergency services continue evacuations, damage assessments and support for displaced residents.
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