UK advises caution as wildfires force evacuations in France and Spain

Mass evacuations caused by wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain have displaced more than 300,000 people, many of whom are staying in temporary shelters such as sports halls. Sophie Brocas, prefect of the French department of Gironde, urged tourists to avoid the region and suggested those already there consider alternative destinations.

The UK government has not issued a travel ban for either country but warns that access to affected zones may be restricted and roads could close without notice. It also notes a heightened wildfire risk across France from April to October and advises travelers to follow instructions from local authorities and emergency services, with the emergency number 112 available in both nations.

Travel insurance experts say coverage depends on individual policies. Anna-Marie Duthie of Defaqto explained that policies with cancellation or curtailment cover may reimburse costs if a trip is disrupted by a wildfire, while Chris Bose of the Association of British Insurers said only about half of policies include specific catastrophe cover.

For bookings cancelled because of the fires, Bose recommends seeking refunds directly from airlines, tour operators or accommodation providers. Duthie added that airlines should offer rebooking or a full refund, and that package holidays should see all elements refunded, whereas separate bookings may require dealing with each provider individually.

Rory Boland of Which? Travel cautioned travelers against cancelling too early, noting that premature cancellations could forfeit refunds or rebooking rights and are unlikely to be covered by insurance unless a specific travel warning is in place. He suggested waiting until closer to departure to assess options, as travel companies will prioritize those leaving within the next few days.

The World Health Organization reports a 57% rise in land burned by wildfires across Europe since summer 2022, raising concerns that climate-related risks could lead to fewer insurable destinations and higher premiums in the future.