Wildfires in France and Spain: What Travelers Need to Know

Wildfires raging across parts of France and Spain have prompted mass evacuations, disrupted travel plans, and raised urgent questions for holidaymakers heading to affected regions. With more than 300,000 people forced from their homes and officials pleading with visitors to stay away, travelers face difficult decisions about upcoming trips.

Current Wildfire Situation in France and Spain

The scale of the crisis is significant. Over 300,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, with many seeking refuge in sports halls and other temporary shelters.

In France, Sophie Brocas, prefect of the Gironde department, issued a direct plea on Sunday: "I urge tourists not to come." She also advised those already in the area to consider traveling to an alternative destination.

The UK government has identified parts of Gironde and Landes in southwestern France as affected by the fires. According to the official French wildfire map, Gironde and Pyrénées-Orientales are at the highest fire alert level. Aude and Var are at the second highest alert level. As of Monday, the map indicated 13 fires burning across the country, including on the island of Corsica.

In Spain, authorities have declared a national emergency due to wildfires in parts of Madrid and Ávila. The UK government also reports wildfires in other inland areas of the country.

Travel Advisories and Insurance Coverage

The UK government has not specifically warned against travel to any location in France or Spain, but it does advise caution. For France, the government warns that access to affected areas may be restricted and roads could close at short notice. Further evacuations remain possible. A general warning about the high risk of wildfires in France has been issued for the summer season, running from April through October.

Travelers currently in affected areas or planning to visit are urged to follow all instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services. The emergency number in both France and Spain is 112. The UK government's advice can change rapidly in response to evolving events.

When it comes to insurance, coverage depends heavily on individual policies. Anna-Marie Duthie, a travel insurance expert at financial rating firm Defaqto, explains that if government advice changes after booking, "you may be covered for cancellation or curtailment." She adds that travelers "may also be covered for additional travel and accommodation costs should your trip be disrupted due to a catastrophic event, if your insurer offers this cover or you've paid to include it."

Chris Bose, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers (ABI), notes that if a policy includes trip disruption cover, it may cover some costs resulting from wildfire-related disruptions. However, Defaqto's analysis reveals that only half of travel insurance policies include "catastrophe" cover, meaning many travelers may not be protected. Checking policy wording or speaking directly with an insurer is essential.

Cancellations, Refunds, and Whether to Cancel

If an airline cancels a flight due to wildfires, Duthie says the airline "should offer you the chance to rebook, or provide a full refund." For package holidays, the refund should cover all elements, including flights, accommodation, and transfers. For those who booked separately, each provider must be dealt with independently — an airline may refund a flight, but an accommodation provider may not if the property itself is unaffected. Bose recommends seeking refunds from airlines, tour operators, or accommodation providers in the first instance.

For travelers considering cancelling proactively, Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, advises checking insurance policy details first, particularly for those not traveling within the next week or two. "Travellers who cancel now will likely forfeit their right to a refund or rebooking," he warns. Since the UK government has not warned against travel to either country, travelers are "unlikely to be able to claim on their travel insurance."

Boland explains that insurance firms typically won't make allowances for "disinclination to travel." Instead, he recommends waiting until closer to the departure date to assess whether the holiday can proceed and what flexible booking options may be available. Travel companies, he notes, will be prioritizing customers due to depart in the next couple of days.

Climate Change and the Future of Travel Insurance

The World Health Organization reports that the amount of land burned by wildfires across Europe has increased by 57% since summer 2022. Climate change is intensifying wildfires and increasing their frequency.

Duthie says insurance firms are adapting to "potential new and increasing risks involved in travel as a result." In the near term, however, she considers it unlikely that providers will change their policies. Current clauses may reference "severe" or "extreme" weather, but definitions vary, and no providers currently specify criteria such as maximum temperatures.

Looking further ahead, Duthie warns that "longer term there is a chance that we may end up seeing less insurable destinations and increased premiums."

As wildfires continue to reshape travel landscapes across Europe, staying informed and understanding your insurance coverage has never been more critical. If you found this guide helpful, share it with friends and family who may be traveling to affected regions — and help spread awareness about staying safe and prepared.

Source: BBC Business