- Spain declared a national emergency over the Madrid and Avila wildfires on July 23, which was lifted on July 30. More than 75,000 tourists and residents have fled affected areas but they have since been allowed to return.
- As of July 31, significant fires continued in Castellon and Tarragona after earlier blazes in Leon, Zamora, Toledo, Cordoba, and Huelva.
- The UK Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Spain, urging Britons to follow local guidance and call 112 if needed.
- Simon Calder noted that airlines continued to operate flights into Bordeaux as wildfires raged about 9 miles away.
- While major cities have not been directly affected by the fires, reduced air quality has prompted local authorities to urge people to stay indoors.
- Travel expert Simon Calder warned that 'things are getting tricky' for Brits travelling to areas affected by wildfires, advising them to prepare a 'grab bag' with essential items.
Wildfires in France and Spain have raised significant travel safety concerns, with over 75,000 tourists and residents evacuated from affected areas. Although the fires have stabilized, travel expert Simon Calder warns British travelers to be prepared for emergencies.6
Calder emphasized the importance of having a "grab bag" ready, containing crucial items such as passports, cash, medication, and hydration. He advised travelers to include solid shoes in their emergency kit, as many evacuees were caught in flip-flops during evacuations.
Despite the ongoing wildfires, flights to major airports like Madrid and Valencia remain operational, and the UK Foreign Office has not issued travel warnings for Spain. However, they urge travelers to follow local authorities' guidance and stay updated on emergency services. Calder noted that cancellation of trips due to fear of wildfires is classified as disinclination to travel, meaning travelers may not receive refunds unless their accommodations are unavailable.5
He stated, "Unfortunately at this stage [that is] something called disinclination to travel, which is where you...see the pictures and you think. 'I'm not going to go there'. You're not going to be able to cancel without penalty," highlighting the need for travelers to stay informed and prepared.
Calder concluded, "The emergency alert system seemed to be working pretty well...Basically if your phone goes at 3 o'clock in the morning it's time to get your boots on and your grab bag," reinforcing the importance of readiness in these challenging times.
“The UK Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Spain, but urges Britons caught up in the fires to follow local guidance and call 112 if they need emergency help. Travel insurance may cover trip disruption if the policy includes natural-disaster cover, the Association of British Insurers says.”
The Times
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