A series of unprecedented wildfires have erupted near Madrid and Bordeaux, prompting Spain to declare its first-ever national emergency due to the scale of the crisis.Over 166,000 people were evacuated across both countries as flames threatened historic wine regions and tourist hotspots.

French President Emmanuel Macron has mobilised the army and sought European Union support to combat what is described as the worst wildfire France has ever faced.

The fires near Bordeaux, a city renowned for its vineyards, forced the total evacuation of the upscale Cap Ferret peninsula, with 44,000 residents fleeing as smoke and flames approached homes.In Spain, over 10,000 people were evacuated from mountainous regions west of Madrid, where firefighters worked to prevent three fires from merging.The situation has been exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and strong winds.

Environment minister Sara Aagesen noted that this year's fire season has already destroyed five times the area compared to 2025, highlighting a growing environmental crisis.Local residents described the chaos, with some losing their homes and pets while relying on boats and emergency shelters to escape the inferno.