Wildfires have swept through various parts of Europe this week, impacting countries like Spain, France, Portugal, and Greece. Evacuations have been carried out, prompting both locals and tourists to ensure their mobile phones are set up to receive emergency alerts.
In southern France, more than 10,000 individuals were evacuated from small towns and villages in the French Pyrenees, near the Spanish border. Meanwhile, spectators planning to attend the third stage of the Tour de France were advised to refrain from visiting on Monday to facilitate easier access for emergency vehicles.
In response to the wildfires, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice for France on Tuesday, highlighting the ‘high risk’ of fires in the country during the upcoming months. The advisory directs British citizens to refer to the existing guidance on actions to take if staying in or near fire-prone areas.
The revised guidance states, “There is a heightened risk of wildfires from April to October in the summer season. For detailed advice, visit the wildfire section on the Safety and security page of the Foreign Office website.” This update serves as a reminder to Brits of the existing advice available and where to locate it.
The Foreign Office previously provided guidance on wildfire risks in France, consistently included in its recommendations. The recent update simply reinforces the presence of this advice and its accessibility.
The current information on wildfires in France cautions, “Wildfires can emerge in various regions of France, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and in Corsica during the summer months. The French meteorological service has introduced a fire alert map for travelers to stay informed.”
It continues, “Increased occurrences of fires are attributed to drought and high temperatures. Authorities may evacuate regions and close roads for safety purposes. Starting a wildfire is illegal in France, even if accidental, and can lead to fines or imprisonment.”
For individuals in or near high-risk areas, guidance from the French government (available in English) advises on necessary actions in case of a fire outbreak. In the event of being trapped in or witnessing a wildfire, emergency services can be reached at 18 for fire emergencies or 112 for general emergencies.