Flames are creeping within nine miles of Bordeaux, forcing more than 300,000 people from their homes across France and Spain, as officials plead with British tourists to stay away.
Sophie Brocas, prefect of the French department of Gironde, issued a stark warning on Sunday: “I urge tourists not to come.” Those already in the area were advised to consider an alternative destination. The flames have prompted mass evacuations, with many sleeping in sports halls and temporary shelters. In Spain, authorities declared a national emergency in parts of Madrid and Ávila, while one man died near Valencia – Spain’s first recorded death in these fires.
“More than 300,000 evacuated as France wildfires approach Bordeaux; UK issues heat alert and warns of travel disruption.”
The UK government has not specifically warned against travel to France or Spain, but advises caution. It says access to affected areas may be restricted, roads may close at short notice, and further evacuations may take place. Travellers should follow local authorities and emergency services, and call 112 if needed. The Foreign Office also warns of a high wildfire risk in France from April to October. Travel insurance could cover disruption, said Chris Bose of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), but only half of policies include such cover. Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at Defaqto, added that if the government advice changes after booking, cancellation or curtailment may be covered.
Meanwhile, the UK is bracing for a fourth heatwave of the year, with a yellow heat alert issued from Tuesday to Friday for large parts of England. Scotland spent 12 days tackling a large blaze in the Cairngorms National Park, which led to hundreds of evacuations and was declared a major incident. Fire services are on alert. “Fire and rescue services remain on alert and are continuing to prepare for renewed wildfire risk,” a National Fire Chiefs Council spokesperson said. Dr Zak Campbell-Lochrie, a fire science lecturer, warned that another heatwave with low humidity could dry out vegetation further, making it more susceptible to ignition and rapid spread. However, experts do not expect UK wildfires to reach the scale of those in France and Spain, due to differences in vegetation. The lack of rain has left parts of southern, central and eastern England close to drought, according to the National Drought Group. Campbell-Lochrie noted that the Cairngorms blaze and previous heatwaves have drained resources, making it harder to tackle new fires. “These large fire incidents are resource intensive and hard to put out,” he said. But the UK’s plant types mean infernos like those on the continent remain unlikely.