Massive wildfires sweeping across Europe forced NASA to evacuate one of its three global deep-space communications facilities in Spain on Friday, affecting the agency’s ability to communicate with distant spacecraft.

The Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex is located in Robledo, approximately 65 kilometres west of central Madrid.

The fire passed through the complex, prompting the evacuation of all personnel. Any potential damage to the facility will be assessed once conditions are considered safe.

The Madrid complex forms part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, which enables communication with spacecraft exploring distant regions of space.

The network’s two other facilities are located in Canberra, Australia, and Goldstone, California. Mission operations previously supported by the Madrid complex have been transferred to those locations.

NASA said protecting its personnel remained its highest priority as families and residents in surrounding communities also faced the effects of the wildfires.