Key facts
- Over 300,000 people have been evacuated due to wildfires in France and Spain.
- French authorities have advised tourists to avoid the Gironde and Pyrénées-Orientales regions.
- Spain has declared a national emergency due to wildfires.
- The UK government advises travelers to monitor local authorities and emergency services for updates.
- Travel insurance coverage for wildfire-related disruptions varies significantly by policy.
Wildfires are raging across parts of France and Spain, leading to mass evacuations and significant travel disruption. In France, over 300,000 people have been forced to leave their homes, with authorities urging tourists to avoid affected areas like Gironde and Pyrénées-Orientales. Some fires have also been reported on Corsica.
Spain has declared a national emergency due to wildfires, particularly in Madrid and Ávila, with other inland regions also affected. The UK government has issued advice for travelers, recommending caution and urging them to stay updated with local authorities and emergency services. Access to affected areas may be restricted, and roads could close with little notice.
Travel insurance policies may offer coverage for cancellations or additional costs if trips are disrupted by these events, but experts emphasize that such cover is not universal. Travelers are advised to check their specific policy details. Airlines and accommodation providers are expected to offer rebooking or refunds for cancelled bookings, though this depends on whether bookings were made separately or as a package.