Australian travellers in parts of France and Spain have been warned they may be forced to evacuate as Europe wildfires burn across tourist areas during the 2026 Northern Hemisphere peak summer season.
Nearly 200,000 people in south-western France have been evacuated in fire conditions the French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu described as being at an “unprecedented level”.
The blazes are close to the major tourist hotspot of Bordeaux with authorities ordering evacuations from parts of the city’s western suburbs and surrounding towns and villages.
Across the border in Spain, 88,000 people have been evacuated or confined to their homes with an elderly man confirmed to have died in his car near Valencia. Three blazes near the capital, Madrid, two of which have merged, have prompted Spain to declare its first national emergency over a wildfire.
The Europe wildfires emergency comes during the peak Northern Hemisphere summer season with France and Spain ranking among the top European destinations for Australian outbound travellers.
Europe wildfires have become an ongoing summer concern as more frequent blazes, deadly heatwaves and record temperatures continue to impact countries across the EU annually and disrupt travel.
What DFAT is advising Australians
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s (DFAT) updated advice for France on its Smartraveller website warns that: “Wildfires are impacting parts of France. Large-scale evacuations are occurring in south-west France, including in tourist areas. Monitor media and follow advice of local authorities.”
The Smartraveller advice for Spain notes localised evacuations are occurring across the country, urging travellers to stay away from affected areas, monitor media and follow local authorities. The overall level for Spain remains “exercise normal safety precautions”.
Both advisories also flag the European Entry and Exit System (EES) and visa changes for the Schengen area with possible delays at border crossings in the new border rules that recently went live for Aussies landing in Europe.
How severe are the Europe wildfires
Firefighters in both countries have said the blazes spread so fast and violently they could not be tackled head-on.
The wildfires in France have been severe enough to force organisers of the Tour de France to shorten the race’s final stage in Paris. Riders will race a circuit of 89km, down by a third from the planned 133km, with part of the race’s security detail redeployed to reinforce response efforts in affected areas.
French Prime Minister Lecornu said on X: “We are facing a convective fire: a blaze that generates its own winds, accelerates its spread, and can abruptly change direction. Civil security specialists had never before encountered such a phenomenon.”
In Madrid, Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia warned against outdoor activities because of smoke. “Avoid physical activity and staying outdoors. If you go outdoors and there is smoke or ash, use a mask,” she said on X.
Travel advisors with clients in or heading to the regions impacted by Europe wildfires should confirm current bookings, check accommodation status and keep an eye on Smartraveller for further changes.
KARRYON UNPACKS: DFAT advisory levels affect travel insurance validity, so a Smartraveller update is worth a client check even when the overall level hasn’t shifted as France and Spain are both firmly on the Euro summer itinerary for Australian travellers in 2026.
