Wildfires have wrought destruction, with 220,000 evacuated in south-west France and 116,000 in Spain.
Officials are now weighing up a “total evacuation” of Bordeaux and the surrounding region of Gironde as President Emmanuel Macron’s government plans a crisis meeting later on Monday.
Regional authorities are also warning tourists to stay away from Gironde despite previous assurances from French authorities not to cancel holidays.
Local official Sophie Brocas said: “We urge tourists not to come to this region, at least until the situation is under control.”
Some 220,000 people were evacuated due to the massive wildfire in France’s Gironde region
AFP/Getty
The mayor of Bordeaux has warned they will remain “vigilant” and ready for the possibility of evacuation as firefighters look to contain the blaze.
In Spain, fires have broken out near Madrid and Valencia, with some 100,000 being forced to evacuate the areas.
The Spanish government has declared a national emergency and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to visit Valencia on Monday as authorities look to find a solution amid worsening weather conditions.
The UK has also seen a number of wildfires, with as many as 19 breaking out simultaneously in England and Wales during the height of the third heatwave in mid-July.
Local fire and rescue services are now said to be preparing for the elevated risk of wildfires in the UK, said a spokesperson for the National Fire Chiefs Council.
The UK Foreign Office has issued a warning to holidaymakers, urging British tourists to follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local media, and check accommodation before travelling.
Here’s what we know about the situation in the wildfire-threatened regions in France and Spain, and how it could impact on travel:
There was some overnight reprieve in Madrid
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Wildfires in Bordeaux have already claimed the lives of two firefighters as forces battled to keep fires away from the city.
The airport’s hotel zone has been evacuated until further notice, but the airport itself remains operational.
This means flights can continue to operate, but no accommodation is available within the airport vicinity.
Travellers are being advised to seek accommodation outside of the evacuated areas.
As it stands, flights out of London to Bordeaux are scheduled to go ahead.
Though the city itself has not yet been engulfed by the blaze, the flames remain just 15km away.
Some rain overnight has provided some reprieve for the southern French region, but temperatures of 36C are forecast for later this week.
In the Madrid and Ávila regions, fires have broken out in Burgohondo, San Martin de Valdeiglesias, and Almorox, but are understood to have eased overnight.
Another eight municipalities near Toledo have also been ordered to evacuate.
Flights to Madrid are operating as usual, with no cancellations as of Monday morning.
However, reports of poor air quality in the region have been rife. Many have reported black smoke and the smell of burning in parts of the capital.
The UK Foreign Office has advised Britons to avoid travelling to affected areas and to follow instructions from local authorities at all times.
In the western Madrid region, two separate wildfires merged on July 24 into a massive blaze
AFP/Getty
Another blaze has ravaged over 4,300 hectares in Valencia in the eastern Castellon province.
Local authorities are still battling to tackle the blaze, which claimed the life of one man over the weekend. Some 15,000 have now been evacuated from their homes.
As of Monday morning, flights to Valencia have not been cancelled.
The UK Foreign Office has advised Britons to avoid travelling to affected areas and to follow instructions from local authorities at all times.
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
Without a change in advice from the Foreign Office or a cancellation by the airline, you won’t be eligible for a refund.
This is because the cancellation would be initiated by the passenger and would be considered a disinclination to travel.
However, if you’ve booked a package and the accommodation has been forced to closure, you are due a full refund.
Am I covered by travel insurance?
You’ll need to check closely to see if your insurance policy covers natural disasters, including floods and fires.
If you still plan on travelling, it’s worth checking your travel insurance carefully before you go.
For those already in affected areas, you may be able to claim compensation or a refund if your holiday was cut short or your accommodation was forced to close.
