Wildfires Disrupt Summer Trips in Spain and France
Travel advice for Spain and France has been updated as major wildfires continue to affect inland Spain and south-west France. British travellers are being told to follow local instructions, monitor official updates and check plans before setting off. Spain’s Madrid and Ávila fires were technically stabilised on 29 July, but the national emergency remains in place and renewed heat could still trigger flare-ups.
Areas and Advice to Check
- Spain: Parts of Madrid and Ávila; other inland fires also reported
- France: Gironde and Landes in the south-west
- Before departure: Contact accommodation and transport providers
- Road travel: Expect closures or restricted access with little notice
- Emergency number: 112 in both countries
- France information line: +33 (0)9 70 80 90 40, option 1 for Gironde or 2 for Landes
- Updates: Follow local authorities, emergency services and wildfire maps
More than 300,000 people were evacuated across the two countries at the height of the crisis. In France, around 220,000 residents and holidaymakers were moved, including people from Cap Ferret. The main blaze west of Bordeaux remained under control overnight on 29 July, but heat and shifting winds kept the risk high. Some Biscarrosse areas reopened, while other roads and accommodation could close again.
The warnings do not cover every part of either country, so trips elsewhere may still go ahead. Barcelona, Valencia, Paris and Lyon are not named in these specific wildfire notices, but anyone driving through affected regions should check the full route. Coastal campsites, forest stays and road trips around Gironde, Landes, western Madrid or Ávila need closer monitoring than city breaks far from the fires.
Anyone travelling in the next few days should confirm that accommodation is open, ask whether transfers are running and check road conditions shortly before departure. Keep documents, medication and chargers together in case plans change quickly. Insurance may cover some disruption, but terms differ, so do not assume a wildfire-related cancellation will automatically be refunded without checking the policy and the latest official advice.