A large wildfire in Spain forced NASA to evacuate the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) on or around July 24-25, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The MDSCC is located about 65 kilometers (40 miles) west of central Madrid in Robledo de Chavela [1, 2, 3, 4].

The MDSCC is one of NASA’s three Deep Space Network stations, alongside facilities in Goldstone, California, and Canberra, Australia [1, 2, 3, 4]. The wildfire disrupted NASA’s ability to communicate with distant spacecraft, including Artemis, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Voyager probes [2, 3]. Photos and videos showed flames and smoke near the antenna array, which includes a 70-meter (230-foot) radio dish and smaller 34-meter (112-foot) antennas [2, 3].

All personnel at the Spanish station were safely evacuated before or during the wildfire, a NASA spokesperson confirmed: "We successfully evacuated all personnel" [3]. NASA has temporarily shifted Deep Space Network operations to the Goldstone station in California to maintain uninterrupted communications with spacecraft [1, 2, 3, 4]. The agency emphasized that support for mission operations continues uninterrupted, with a spokesperson stating, "In the meantime, the agency has seamlessly transitioned support for mission operations to the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California, ensuring continuity of service and uninterrupted support for spacecraft communications" [2].

The wildfire was part of a larger outbreak in Spain that led to evacuation orders for about 60,000 people near Madrid [3]. Following the fire passing through the complex, NASA said any equipment damage would be assessed once it is safe to access the site—possibly as early as the day after the evacuation [1, 2, 3, 4]. A spokesperson said, "The wildfire has passed through the MDSCC. Any potential damage will be assessed when it is safe to do so." [4] The Deep Space Network operates around the clock using a 'follow the Sun' model across its global stations to provide continuous spacecraft communication [2].

NASA’s assessment of the MDSCC’s equipment will proceed when authorities allow safe access to the facility.