Archive · 3 Aug 2026
France and Spain Face Record-Breaking Wildfires This Summer
This summer, France and Spain have had the biggest wildfires ever.
In France, about 115,000 hectares of land burned, almost twice as much as the biggest year before.
In Spain, 170,000 hectares were destroyed, more than six times the amount from last year.
Fires spread to places like Fontainebleau, near Paris, and the city of Bordeaux is on high alert.
Both countries will need to rethink how they handle wildfire risks because these fires are happening more often.
France has burned ~115,000 hectares this year, nearly double 2022 peak.
Spain has destroyed ~170,000 hectares, over six times the same period last year.
Fires have spread beyond typical southern forests to areas like Fontainebleau near Paris.
Bordeaux remains on high alert as heatwaves loom.
Both countries must reassess wildfire risks as such blazes become more common.
- Who
- France and Spain
- What
- Record-breaking wildfires
- When
- This summer, this year
- Where
- Southern forests of France, Fontainebleau, Bordeaux, and across Spain
- Why
- Increasing heatwaves and climate change making blazes more common
- Country
- France and Spain
- Area destroyed in France
- 115,000 hectares
- Area destroyed in Spain
- 170,000 hectares
- Record status
- Largest on record
- Alert level
- High in Bordeaux