Wildfires in Sicily, France, and Spain: Three firefighters dead, thousands evacuated
Three firefighters died as wildfires raged across Italy, France, and Spain on Wednesday, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.
On Wednesday, July 23, 2026, wildfires swept through several regions of Southern Europe, killing three firefighters and prompting mass evacuations. In Sicily, Italy, temperatures exceeded 40°C, and strong winds fanned the flames. Regional head Renato Schifani said that about 6,000 firefighters, forest guards, and civil protection personnel, along with water-bombing aircraft, were deployed to fight 50 active fires. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that one firefighter died after falling ill while battling the blaze.
In neighboring Calabria, more than 160 fires were recorded, and the head of local civil protection described them as deliberate arson. According to him, perpetrators tied rags soaked in flammable liquid to the tails of stray cats to spread the fire.
In France, two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling a fire near Bordeaux airport. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez met with their families on Wednesday as unions warned of exhaustion and lack of resources among workers. Two major fires in the southwest displaced thousands; one destroyed over 1,400 hectares in the Arcachon Basin region near Bordeaux. Fire Captain Wilfried Schneider described the fire's intensity as "rare." Le Porge Mayor Martial Zaninetti suggested the fire might have been started by a machine used to clear forest tracks, though this has not been officially confirmed. As a precaution, around 700 people were evacuated from Le Porge, and over 3,000 campers were relocated.
Another fire that broke out on Tuesday in the Var region, spreading rapidly and forcing about 400 people to evacuate while destroying 2,550 hectares, was contained on Wednesday. Nearly 1,000 firefighters and specialized aircraft fought it. In total, 4,600 people have been evacuated in France, and Gironde Prefect Sophie Brocas called for hundreds more to leave.
In Spain, authorities ordered the evacuation of several districts around Toledo, south of Madrid, after a major wildfire threatened homes. Emergency alerts were sent by phone, and major roads were closed. Three villages were fully evacuated, while residents of a fourth were told to stay indoors. The new blaze broke out as hundreds of firefighters battled another large wildfire 100 km north of Madrid that has devastated 32,000 hectares.
Scientists note that climate change caused by human activity makes extreme weather events such as wildfires and heatwaves more frequent and intense.
