by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 12:50 PM ET, Mon July 27, 2026
The images on the news are alarming: wildfires burning in France and Spain as a heatwave continues to provide perfect conditions for the flames. Europe is part of many Canadian travellers’ summer plans, but is it a good idea to go ahead with a European vacation this year, or should they reconsider?
Wildfires in France
There are several fires burning in France, predominantly in the South. Several fires are burning in Gironde, the region where the city of Bordeaux is located. If Bordeaux is on the itinerary, then as of the time of writing, travellers will likely want to make alternate arrangements. The Times reports that the hotel area around Bordeaux airport was evacuated overnight on Sunday, July 26, as the wildfires raged approximately 14.5 km from the city centre. The Bordeaux airport is still in operation as of July 27, but some roads and highways have been closed and train service in Southern France has been disrupted and cancelled on many routes, reports Le Parisien.
The renowned wine region is popular with tourists, but for now, regional officials are asking tourists to stay away. “We urge tourists not to come to this region, at least until the situation is under control,” Sophie Brocas, prefect of Gironde, told the media. “I encourage tourists who are already here to consider another destination.”
The travel advisory for France has not been updated by Canadian Global Affairs to include fire information.
Wildfires in Spain
In Spain, a national emergency has been declared in response to the fires, specifically the ones near Madrid and Avila. Over the weekend, Global Affairs updated its travel advice for Spain to include information about the fires, but did not change the travel advisory level, which remains at yellow/exercise a high degree of caution (due to the threat of terroirism).
Localized evacuation orders and emergency measures due to wildfires are in effect in parts of the Community of Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León. Travellers are advised that road closures, transportation disruptions, reduced visibility due to smoke and poor air quality are affecting many areas. Global Affairs wants travellers to remember that conditions can change rapidly and to stay away from affected areas.
European Travel Precautions
Travellers should be familiar with their travel insurance and ensure they will be covered for evacuation expenses and trip disruptions due to wildfires when evaluating whether they want to travel to Spain or France right now.
Anyone travelling should make a note that the emergency phone number in Europe is 112. If travellers need to report a fire or request emergency help, they can dial 112 to be connected with an emergency services dispatcher. In Spain, travellers can stay up to date with the wildfire situation by checking the Fire hazard map from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the Civil protection site from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (Spanish only). In France, travellers will want to bookmark the Forest weather page from Météo France (French only).
As always, Canadians visiting other countries are encouraged to register as a Canadian Abroad This program allows the Government of Canada to notify travellers in case of an emergency at their destination or a personal emergency at home.
Lastly, Global Affairs offers the following advice for anyone near a wildfire:
- Follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services, including evacuation orders.
- Monitor local media and official emergency channels for updates.
- Be prepared to modify your travel plans or even evacuate the area on short notice.
Topics From This Article to Explore
