Central Spain wildfires threaten infrastructure

Late July 2026 saw massive wildfires sweep across central Spain, endangering key facilities. After earlier evacuations of the NASA Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) and the relocation of mission‑control operations to California, the blaze intensified on 24 July. Flames entered the MDSCC site, prompting the Guardia Civil to evacuate roughly 90 workers and suspend all deep‑space communications from the complex. NASA rerouted affected missions to its Goldstone (California) and Canberra (Australia) Deep Space Network stations while damage assessments continue.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared a state of emergency, doubled troop deployments to support civil‑protective forces, and warned that multiple fire fronts remain uncontrolled. The fire front also crossed the border into France, forcing the evacuation of more than 110,000 residents from the Cap‑Ferret peninsula and triggering a military response ordered by President Emmanuel Macron. No fatalities have been reported, but authorities are monitoring the ongoing blaze that has already consumed thousands of hectares across Spain and France.