France Spain Wildfires Force Evacuations

What To Do If You Are Already There

If local authorities tell you to evacuate, leave immediately and follow the designated route rather than choosing a scenic or familiar shortcut. Take passports, travel insurance documents, medication, phone chargers, bank cards, car hire paperwork and essential clothing, but do not delay departure to pack non-essential items. Keep your phone charged and enable emergency alerts where possible, as instructions may come through local warning systems, hotel staff, police, civil protection teams or municipal authorities. If you are separated from your group, agree a meeting point outside the danger zone and use text messages where mobile networks are congested.

Before You Travel to France or Spain

Before leaving home, contact your accommodation directly and ask three specific questions: is the property open, is the access road open, and is the area under any warning or evacuation order. If you booked a package holiday, ask the tour operator whether they are still operating the trip and whether alternative accommodation is being arranged. If you booked independently, check your hotel, villa, campsite, airline, train provider, ferry operator and car hire company separately because each may have different policies. Do not assume that a lack of cancellation email means your destination is unaffected.

Flights, Trains, Ferries and Road Travel

The initial report did not confirm specific airline route cancellations, but wildfire events can still affect travel even when airports remain open. Smoke, emergency operations and road closures can delay airport transfers, disrupt coach services and make it difficult for staff and passengers to reach terminals. Rail and ferry passengers should also check service status before departure, especially if their journey involves regional connections through affected areas. Drivers should avoid entering closed zones, keep fuel topped up, carry water, and remember that navigation apps may not show the latest police barriers or evacuation routes.

Health and Safety Advice for Smoke

Wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, throat and lungs, and it can be particularly risky for people with asthma, chronic lung conditions, heart problems, young children, pregnant travellers and older people. If smoke is visible or you can smell burning, reduce outdoor activity, close windows where safe to do so, and use air conditioning on recirculation if available. Travellers with inhalers or essential medication should keep them in hand luggage or a day bag rather than in a suitcase stored at accommodation. Seek medical help quickly if you experience breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, severe dizziness or symptoms that do not improve indoors.

Refunds, Insurance and Compensation

Wildfires are generally treated as extraordinary events, so compensation rules may differ from delays caused by airline staffing or operational failures. If your flight is cancelled, the airline should normally offer re-routing or a refund for the unused flight, but additional compensation may not apply where the cause is extreme weather or wildfire-related airspace and safety disruption. Package holiday customers should contact their organiser first, because package rules often provide stronger help with alternative arrangements when the booked trip cannot be delivered. Independent travellers should keep receipts, screenshots of alerts, cancellation notices and written messages from providers for any insurance claim.

The Sensible Backup Plan

The safest backup plan is to identify an alternative destination away from the affected fire zone before you are forced to make a rushed decision. If you are driving, choose a route that avoids forested evacuation areas and check official road information rather than relying only on the fastest route shown by an app. If your accommodation is unavailable, ask for written confirmation before booking a replacement, as this can help with refunds or insurance. For trips in the next few days, flexibility is the most valuable tool: keep bookings refundable where possible, avoid tight connections and be ready to change airports, routes or overnight stops.