LISTEN: Chichester woman describes frightening wildfire warning during stay in Spain.

A woman from Chichester has described the frightening moment she realised a rapidly spreading wildfire was threatening the area around her holiday accommodation in Spain. V2 Radio's Peter Phillips is reporting from Portugal on his journey through France and Spain.

LISTEN: Michelle Williams from Chichester talking to V2 Radio's News Editor, Philip Keeler talking about how she escaped a Spanish wildfire: 

Michelle Williams was staying at an Airbnb in the El Pinar area with her fiancé when she received an urgent message from her mother, who was following reports of the fire from Sussex.

Speaking to V2 Radio, Michelle said her mother had warned her that the blaze was spreading quickly near the property.

Michele and her husband-to-be managed to escape, describing the sky as they drove home as orange, filled with smoke.

Now away from the wildfire, she said authorities are trying to keep people safe, but there is huge concern about how quickly the fires are spreading.

Wildfires have affected parts of Spain, France, Portugal and Turkey during July, causing evacuations, destroying homes and placing increasing pressure on firefighting resources.

Spain has been among the countries worst affected, with large fires reported around Madrid, Ávila, Castellón and parts of Andalucía.

In France, thousands of firefighters have been tackling a major blaze in the Gironde region near Bordeaux, while evacuations have also taken place in parts of south-west Turkey.

Wildfire burns in France - Credit: V2 Radio's Neale Bateman 2026

 LISTEN: V2 Radio's weekend presenter Peter Phillips has travelled through France, Spain and to his destination in Portugal, he describes the moment he realised a wildfire was burning close to their accommodation near Bordeaux, in France.

Cloud of smoke at accommodation where V2 Radio's Peter Philip's was staying with his wife near Bordeaux, in France - Credit: V2 Radio's Peter Phillips 2026.

The European Union has deployed firefighting aircraft, helicopters and ground crews to assist national emergency services in France and Spain.

Maria Zuber, head of the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre, warned that the wildfire threat was beginning to move towards Greece, Italy and central Europe.

She said that if severe conditions continued across the Iberian Peninsula while the risk spread east, “we will have all Europe on fire”.

High temperatures, dry vegetation, strong winds and a lack of rain have created conditions in which fires can ignite and spread rapidly.

The EU said seven aircraft and four helicopters had been sent to France, while Spain had received six aircraft and three ground firefighting teams.

Michelle’s experience highlights how quickly conditions can change and the importance of monitoring official warnings when staying in an area affected by wildfires.

People travelling in affected parts of Europe are being advised to follow instructions from local authorities, keep evacuation routes clear and be prepared to leave immediately if ordered to do so.

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