Is it safe to travel to Spain and Portugal? Latest travel advice during European wildfires

Independent

10 hours ago

As a string of heatwaves causes wildfires to blaze across Europe, holidaymakers may be concerned about the safety of their summer travel plans.
In Madrid, a major destination for UK travellers, a devastating wildfire this week claimed one life and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes as temperatures topped 40C.
Spain 's meteorological service Aemet has forecast peaks of 44C heat in Seville as the country swelters.
Elsewhere, Portugal 's Trancoso municipality remains in flames, with more than 700 firefighters working to control the inferno northeast of Lisbon.
Here's the latest travel advice for Spain and Portugal, plus all the key questions and answers.
Where are the wildfires?
In the Tres Cantos region, a wildfire ravaged more than 1,000 hectares of land after it broke out on Monday evening.
Blazes were similarly seen in regions including Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia and Galicia, with thousands evacuated from homes, hotels and beaches.
Regional authorities confirmed on Tuesday (12 August) that firefighters had the area under control.
In Portugal, more than 700 firefighters are working to control a fire in the municipality of Trancoso, northeast of Lisbon, as of Tuesday afternoon.
As of 12 August, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has not issued any specific travel advice for the wildfires in Spain or Portugal.
General wildfire advice from the FCDO warns that wildfires happen often in Spain and Portugal during the summer months.
It says, 'wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable', and advises travellers in high-risk areas to follow the advice of local authorities.
Will my flight get cancelled?
Madrid-Barajas airport and Francisco Sá Carneiro airport in Porto, the closest to each blaze, are currently operating departures and arrivals largely as scheduled.
However, travellers should prepare for potential delays and cancellations for flights to and from the worst wildfire-affected regions.
Can I cancel my holiday?
Since the FCDO has not warned against travel to Spain or Portugal, there are no exceptional grounds for cancelling a trip and receiving a full refund.
The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone.
Companies are not required to issue refunds for cancellations, and you won't be able to claim your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.