France and Spain Are Ravaged by Wildfires: Tourists Have Been Warned About Dangerous Areas

Large-scale wildfires in France and Spain have led to the evacuation of more than 300,000 people and the closure of roads, campgrounds, and tourist attractions. Travelers are advised to temporarily avoid the affected areas of Gironde, Landes, Madrid, and Ávila. Learn more about the extent of the disaster and the destinations where it’s best to postpone your trip

Forest fires in southern Europe have engulfed hundreds of thousands of hectares and disrupted tourists’ plans in the midst of the summer season. In France and Spain, more than 300,000 people have been evacuated or temporarily relocated from dangerous areas, including residents of residential neighborhoods, hotel guests, and campers.

Travelers are advised to avoid the affected areas near Madrid and Ávila in Spain, as well as certain parts of Gironde and Landes in France. Due to the rapidly changing situation, roads and access to resort areas may be closed without warning.

Planning a trip abroad?

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The Scale of the Wildfires in France and Spain

The current wave of wildfires has become one of the largest in Europe in recent decades. In France and Spain, more than 300,000 people have been evacuated or temporarily relocated.

Key facts about the scale of the disaster:

1. In Gironde, in southwestern France, approximately 42,000 hectares have been burned

2. A fire in the Spanish province of Ávila has engulfed approximately 50,000 hectares, making it the largest in the country’s history

3. In total, since the beginning of 2026, fires have destroyed over 116,000 hectares in France and about 172,000 hectares in Spain

4. Approximately 220,000 people were evacuated in France, and at least 79,000 in Spain

5. At least 93 French firefighters were injured as a result of the fires, and about 240 homes were destroyed

The wildfires have already claimed lives. Thirteen people died in a fire in Almería in southern Spain, and two firefighters died in the Gironde region of France. Due to the heat, drought, and strong winds, the fires can quickly spread to new areas, so evacuation zones and road closures are constantly changing.

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Which areas of France should tourists avoid?

The most critical situation remains in southwestern France, particularly in the Gironde and Landes departments. The fires have affected popular resort areas along the Atlantic coast, where dozens of campgrounds, hotels, and tourist complexes operate during the summer.

Travelers are advised to avoid the following areas:

- Saumos, Le Porge, and Les-Cap-Ferret in Gironde

- The area around Lacanau and other areas west of Bordeaux

- Biscarrosse and neighboring municipalities in the Landes department

- Areas where evacuation orders are in effect or where access to forests and beaches is restricted

According to the Gironde Prefecture, the precautionary evacuation in Le Porge, Saumos, Le Temple, and Lesge-Cap-Ferret affected approximately 20,000 people. In some places, tourists were urgently evacuated from campgrounds, and access to the Cap-Ferret peninsula was restricted.

Reports of a possible full evacuation of Bordeaux have not been confirmed by French authorities. In fact, emergency services were developing a plan to evacuate the entire Cap Ferret peninsula by road and sea. At the same time, the situation around Bordeaux remains tense due to the proximity of a major fire hotspot.

We previously reported that massive wildfires have swept across southern Europe: tourists are being evacuated in Greece, Spain, France, and Portugal.

Where is it dangerous to travel in Spain?

In Spain, the fires in the Autonomous Community of Madrid and the province of Ávila are causing the greatest concern. Active fire hotspots are also being reported in Toledo and other central regions of the country. Tourists are urged to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas to prevent entering evacuation zones and to avoid hindering the work of emergency services.

Particular attention should be paid to the situation in the following areas:

- The western and northwestern outskirts of Madrid

- The province of Ávila, where the fire has engulfed approximately 50,000 hectares

- Areas near active fires in Toledo

- Communities where evacuations have been ordered or residents have been instructed to remain indoors

In Spain, approximately 79,000 people have been evacuated, and another 66,000 residents have been ordered to remain indoors due to the fires and heavy smoke. In Madrid and Ávila, emergency alerts were sent to cell phones, and some roads were closed without much advance notice.

The situation is complicated by temperatures reaching 37–40°C, low humidity, and gusty winds. Even areas far from the flames can be dangerous due to smoke, poor visibility, and the fire’s rapidly changing direction.

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What should you do if you’ve already planned a trip?

Due to the rapid spread of the fire, a route that was safe the day before may be blocked within just a few hours. Before setting out, you should check not only the weather forecast but also announcements from local authorities, road conditions, and the status of your booked accommodations.

Tourists are advised to:

- Check alerts from FR-Alert and prefectures in France, and from Protección Civil in Spain

- Contact your hotel, campground, or tour operator in advance

- Do not attempt to drive through blocked roads or evacuation zones

- Prepare documents, medications, water, a power bank, and an alternate route

- If your reservation is canceled, keep official notifications and receipts to file a claim with your insurance company

- If thick smoke appears, close windows, turn off external ventilation, and leave the danger zone as directed by rescue workers

The single emergency number in France and Spain is 112. If authorities have ordered an evacuation, you must leave the area immediately without waiting for the situation to worsen.

Are you preparing for a trip abroad in 2026?

Medical insurance from the Visit World portal will provide reliable support during your trip, especially in the context of flight changes and unstable schedules. The policy covers medical expenses, emergency assistance, and other unforeseen situations outside the country, so you can feel confident even when plans have to be adjusted at the last minute.

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