Wildfire forces evacuation of NASA's Deep Space Network complex in Spain
A fast-moving wildfire in Spain has forced the evacuation of NASA's Deep Space Network complex near Madrid. Operations are temporarily suspended as officials wait to assess potential damage to the critical tracking antennas.
Why it matters
The facility is vital for global space exploration, supporting missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Voyager spacecraft.
DSN trouble Wildfire forces evacuation of NASA’s Deep Space Network complex in Spain “Any potential damage will be assessed when it is safe to do so.”
7 Smoke from a nearby fire drifts over a NASA antenna in Robledo de Chavela near Madrid, Spain, on July 24, 2026. Credit: Gabri Solera/Europa Press via Getty Images Smoke from a nearby fire drifts over a NASA antenna in Robledo de Chavela near Madrid, Spain, on July 24, 2026. Credit: Gabri Solera/Europa Press via Getty Images Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav A fast-moving wildfire, one of many raging across Spain, bore down on the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex on Friday, forcing an evacuation and temporarily suspending operations at one of NASA’s most important tracking stations.
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