Spain's forest fires force evacuations of tens of thousands

A series of large forest fires has swept across Spain in 2026, affecting multiple regions including Catalonia, Aragon, Cantabria and others. In the Girona area of Catalonia, about 50,000 residents were ordered to leave homes and workplaces as flames spread across roughly 750 hectares and threatened an additional 10,000 hectares. Authorities have called on the Spanish Military Emergency Unit for assistance and have urged travelers to postpone trips from Barcelona to Girona, while closing several roads and advising people to stay indoors.

Elsewhere, active fronts persist: a fire near Leciñena in Zaragoza has burned around 2,200 hectares, the La Fueva blaze forced the evacuation of nearby villages, and the Tamarite de Litera‑Alcampell fire in Aragon consumed about 4,000 hectares, prompting evacuations in three settlements. A fire in Despeñaperros Natural Park remains active. Nationally, the Ministry of Ecological Transition reports that 39,700 hectares have burned so far, while satellite data from EFFIS puts the total at about 50,000 hectares. In June, roughly 15,900 hectares turned to ash, with Cantabria among the hardest‑hit regions. Spain's fire season has thus become the most destructive of the year, far exceeding normal levels across the European Union.