- 3d ago
Spain wildfires burn 88,000 hectares, force 115,000 evacuations as firefighting pilots run out of flying hours
In the worst wildfire outbreak on record, more than 115,000 people were ordered to evacuate across several Spanish regions in the past week, while exhausted firefighting pilots warn they will soon be grounded by flight‑hour regulations.
- 3d ago
Record wildfires in Spain and France fuelled by climate change, studies show, as July heat shatters records
Spain endured its hottest July on record, tied with 2022, as wildfires burned 150,000 hectares in the month alone. A rapid attribution study finds global warming made the extreme fire conditions at least 20 times more likely in central Spain.
- Jul 26
Spain braces for its first total solar eclipse in over a century on 12 August, with millions of free glasses and a supercomputer corona model
On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across northern Spain from Galicia to the Balearic Islands just before sunset, the first such event visible from the country in more than a century. Authorities are mounting a large-scale safety campaign and distributing millions of certified glasses.
- Jul 26
La Mierla wildfire evacuation winds down to just two towns amid 32,000-hectare blaze
Nine days after igniting in the Sierra Norte of Guadalajara, the La Mierla wildfire, the largest ever recorded in Castilla-La Mancha, has been downgraded to emergency level 1 as of Saturday afternoon, with only two of 34 evacuated towns still under mandatory evacuation.
- Jul 24
Spain wildfires: two Madrid blazes merge, 19,000 evacuated as state of emergency declared
Two wildfires west of Madrid are merging into a single front, forcing at least 19,000 evacuations and prompting a state of emergency as the blazes peak under extreme weather conditions.
- Jul 24
Spain declares national emergency for Madrid and Ávila as wildfires force 10,000 evacuations
The Spanish government declared a national emergency for Madrid and Ávila overnight, mobilising military resources as multiple fires burn across the country and 10,000 people have been evacuated.
- Jul 22
France records 5,764 excess deaths during June heatwave, highest mortality rate since 2003
The toll, reported by the national health agency on Wednesday, is the highest since the devastating 2003 heatwave and comes as southern Europe endures another spell of extreme temperatures.
- Jul 19
Wildfire in southern France burns 200 hectares, destroys four homes near Saint-Tropez
The blaze started Sunday afternoon in Taradeau and spread rapidly to Les Arcs-sur-Argens, fuelled by 40°C heat and drought. Firefighters hope to contain it by Monday afternoon.
- Jul 19
Fermoselle wildfire stabilises, most of 800 evacuees return home in Zamora, Spain
The wildfire that broke out Wednesday in western Zamora has scorched an estimated 11,000 hectares of the Arribes del Duero park. After three days of firefighting, over 800 evacuees have returned home, with only two hamlets still cut off as of Friday evening.
- Jul 18
Spain prepares for first total solar eclipse in over a century on 12 August
A total solar eclipse will sweep across northern Spain on the evening of 12 August 2026, with the path of totality stretching from Galicia to the Balearic Islands. Authorities are urging viewers to use certified eye protection to avoid irreversible retinal damage.
- Jul 18
Orés wildfire stabilized at 14,400 hectares burned; 1,000 evacuees await return after five-day battle
The Orés forest fire in Zaragoza province was declared stabilized on Sunday afternoon after burning 14,400 hectares and forcing the evacuation of about 1,000 people from six municipalities. Authorities are now preparing the gradual return of residents once homes and basic services are checked.
- Jul 14
Spain's Congress rejects 2027 budget deficit path as PP, Vox and Junts vote together, raising early election stakes
A coalition of PP, Vox, and Junts, with UPN, voted 178 to 167 on 14 July 2026 to reject the government's stability objectives for 2027–2029, the mandatory step before presenting the state budget. The government plans to resubmit the same targets on 23 July.
- Jul 13
First genuine sugar found in interstellar space, 27,000 light-years from Earth
Using two Spanish radio telescopes, astronomers identified erythrulose, a sugar found in raspberries, in a molecular cloud near the galactic centre, marking the first direct detection of a genuine sugar in the interstellar medium.
- Jul 12
Nine injured, one gored, as La Palmosilla bulls charge in a tense, crowded sixth San Fermín run
A mass of runners on a Sunday morning created a crowded and dangerous course in Pamplona. One man sustained a penetrating wound to his elbow from a bull's horn, while eight others suffered contusions.
- Jul 4
Switzerland ends 88-year knockout drought, faces Colombia in World Cup last 16
Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a World Cup knockout win by beating Algeria 2-0, and will now face Colombia in the round of 16 on Tuesday in Vancouver.
- Jul 3
Les Gavarres wildfire stabilised at 2,200 hectares; residents return to charred homes as heatwave persists
The wildfire that broke out Friday in Les Gavarres, Catalonia, has been stabilised after burning 2,200 hectares and damaging at least 25 buildings. Residents evacuated from urbanisations like Vall Repòs are returning, though firefighters warn the second summer heatwave could still reignite hot spots.
- Jul 3
Los Gallardos wildfire controlled after becoming deadliest in Spain this century with 13 dead and 7,000 hectares burned
The fire in Los Gallardos, Almería, claimed 13 lives including three Belgians and five Britons, left eight hospitalised with four in critical condition, and scorched 7,000 hectares before being brought under control on Monday.
- Jul 2
Portuguese writer Lídia Jorge wins 2026 Camões Prize for literature
The unanimous decision by the jury, announced on 2 July, awards the 80-year-old author the most important literary prize in the Portuguese-speaking world, along with a €100,000 purse.
- Jul 2
FIFA investigates Argentina players' Falklands banner after World Cup semi-final win over England
Argentina's 2-1 comeback victory over England in Atlanta was overshadowed by a political banner reading 'Las Malvinas son argentinas', prompting UK calls for sanctions and a FIFA disciplinary review.
- Jul 1
WTA Finals to move from Saudi Arabia to Indian Wells after early end to hosting deal
The season-ending championship leaves Saudi Arabia two years into a three-year agreement, with Indian Wells stepping in to host the November 8–15 event.
