Canadair firefighting aircraft are battling a wildfire near Pelayos de la Presa, 65 kilometers west of Madrid, on July 26, 2026. This image is from Oscar del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images.

SEVILLE, Spain — On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting to address wildfires in southern France, leading to the evacuation of over 250,000 people. The meeting followed a slowdown in the fire in the Gironde region of southwest France, offering initial relief after burning more than 100,000 acres.

The Gironde prefecture reported stable conditions overnight, a positive shift since the fire threatened Bordeaux’s wine district over the weekend. No further evacuations were ordered, but with the region being a popular tourist destination, authorities suspended holiday camps for children as a precaution.

Firefighters on the ground worked diligently to contain the fires amid forecasts of rising temperatures, expected to complicate efforts. On social media, Macron assured long-term support for affected communities, stating, We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will be present for as long as necessary. An image by Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images shows a burning forest near Lege-Cap-Ferret, southwestern France, on July 25, 2026.

Meanwhile, in Spain, a wildfire near Madrid has burned over 60,000 acres and remains active. Firefighting teams are progressing, though wind gusts pose challenges. This fire threatened the Ávila region over the weekend, where a separate blaze has incinerated more than 100,000 acres. Authorities declared control over these fires by Sunday, despite having been uncontained the previous day.

A third major fire in Castellón, eastern Spain, affects around 75,000 residents. Evacuations occurred, but some people remained at home. Although ongoing, the fire has decelerated, and authorities aim for control by Tuesday.

Spain’s national meteorology agency, Aemet, predicts a fourth summer heat wave starting Wednesday. Authorities have a one-day window to manage the fires before conditions deteriorate. This summer is expected to be Spain’s hottest on record.

An image from July 27, 2026, by Oscar del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images, shows drivers queuing to enter Cenicientos, a village 80 kilometers southwest of Madrid, damaged by wildfire.

Combined, the wildfires in Spain and France have forced evacuations exceeding 300,000 people and have burned over 242,000 acres in France this year, marking a historic record, according to French interior minister Laurent Nuñez. In Spain, fires have destroyed over 300,000 acres this year, surpassing the decade’s yearly average of 250,000 acres, noted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, highlighting climate change’s effects.

The wildfires also impacted the Tour de France, shortening the race’s final stage, as police and security personnel were redirected to firefighting efforts, organizers reported.

NPR’s Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.