As parts of Europe contend with record-breaking heat, wildfires have broken out in countries including Greece, Italy and Türkiye, forcing thousands of locals to evacuate their homes.
So what does this all mean for your travel plans? Should you pack the SPF 50 or cancel your flight altogether? Here are all the latest updates on the European wildfires and what they mean for your safety, itinerary and wallet.
Where are the wildfires in Europe?
Dozens of fires have been reported across Greece, affecting the Attica region and Athens suburbs, as well as Kythira island, in the village of Pitsinades; Evia island, in the village of Pissona; Messinia and the Polithea area of Trifylia. There were also reports of wildfires in Chios and the southern island of Crete, where 5,000 tourists were forced to evacuate.
Parts of southern Italy are also ablaze, threatening locals and tourists in Sardinia, where many were evacuated by boat. There are also active fires in Sicily, particularly on the south coast and near Palermo.
Turkïye has been struggling with daily wildfires for the past few weeks in the northwest, including Karabuk and the region of Eskisehir, as well as the city of Silopi in the southeast. The Turkish government also declared the western provinces of Izmir and Bilecik as disaster areas this past Friday, according to CNN.
Fires are also active in southern Cyprus and multiple countries in the Balkans including Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
Is it safe to travel?
While there have been no official ‘do not travel’ warnings issued for these countries, with flights operating as usual, it’s always best to check with reliable local news sources for any sudden changes.
Türkiye’s İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport briefly closed in late June due to the fires, but has since reopened as normal, and advised travellers to double-check their flight status before leaving for their trip.
The UK Foreign Office has not banned travel, but states that Greece is at ‘high risk of wildfires’ which are ‘highly dangerous and unpredictable’.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
Right now, it depends on your travel purchase and policies. Since no government has warned against travelling, travellers who choose to cancel are not likely to be covered as it’d be seen as ‘disinclination to travel’. However, it’s best to check with your airline and tour operator. If you can’t get a refund, you might be able to change your travel dates.
‘If government advice changes, advising against travel to the area after you have booked your trip, then you can be covered for cancellation or curtailment,’ said Defaqto travel insurance expert Anna-Marie Duthie to The Times. ‘You can also be covered for additional travel and accommodation costs should your trip be disrupted due to a catastrophic event if your insurer offers this cover, or you have paid for the option to include it.’
Extreme weather and heatwaves in Europe
With the rise of climate change and consistent record-breaking heat across the globe, extreme weather conditions in Europe are on the rise. Earlier this month, we saw wildfires in Marseille and an earthquake on the coast of Spain following severe rain and flooding across the country.
Europe’s summers are getting longer and hotter, with no signs of cooling anytime soon. Travellers are advised to monitor local weather alerts and make sure they have comprehensive travel insurance.
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