Extreme heat and wildfires pose a serious threat to southern Europe. Authorities are forced to impose new restrictions and evacuate the population as the danger to citizens has increased. Find out about safety measures and risks for tourists and locals in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Albania and Croatia.
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Extreme heat and wildfires are once again causing problems for travellers in southern Europe. This summer, weather conditions are causing serious problems, including mass evacuations and life-threatening situations. At the same time, the risk of wildfires has spread to previously unaffected areas and extends far beyond the Mediterranean. Read more about the new restrictions and safety measures in the article with a link to the Independent.
Important tips for travelling to popular holiday destinations and how you can protect yourself in case of danger can be found here.
Fires in Greece: High risk and evacuations
Greece is facing an extremely high risk of fire, particularly in the areas near Athens. Greece’s General Secretariat of Civil Protection has declared a “very high risk” and “extreme risk” of fires for many regions of the country. Despite the difficult conditions, Athens International Airport remains operational, although passengers are warned of possible delays due to road closures. Australia’s Ambassador to Greece Alison Duncan is urging people to avoid the affected areas and stay home if smoke is present nearby.
Fire hazard in Spain: increased risk
In Spain, the weather service Aemet has declared an “extreme fire risk” for much of the country, including the Pyrenees, the Basque Country and southern Spain. The island of Mallorca, a popular tourist destination, is suffering from drought, which has led to restrictions on water supplies. In the province of Castellón on the Mediterranean coast, authorities have banned the filling of swimming pools due to the worst drought in history. Wind speeds of over 50 km/h are forecast in the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife and Gran Canaria, increasing the risk of fire.
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Portugal: Preparing for the peak of the fire season
The fire season in Portugal has already begun and could last until October. The US Embassy in Lisbon is calling on the population to prepare for possible evacuations and to plan alternative routes as roads could be closed. In the Montesinho Natural Park in northern Portugal, more than 250 firefighters are battling a fire that broke out on Saturday.
Albania: EU help in fighting fires
Due to the dry and hot weather, forest fires are common in Albania from April to October. The European Union is providing Albania with emergency aid to fight the fires from 14 August.
Croatia: strict security measures in forests
Croatia, almost half of whose territory is covered by forest, has increased security measures to prevent fires. The country has installed 220 cameras at 110 forest sites to monitor tourists’ behavior. Foreigners are warned of severe fines for fire-related offenses: from 1,200 euros for accidentally lighting a fire to 20,000 euros and even prison for intentional lighting.
Remember! When traveling abroad, it is essential to take care of your safety. Especially for tourists traveling in Europe, it is important to be able to count on medical care in the host country, especially now that Europe is on fire. To have guarantees and to be able to rely on your own protection, we recommend that you take out travel insurance that will allow you to count on assistance throughout the European Union.
We remind you! We have compiled a list of cities that offer cool and pleasant weather, making them ideal for a summer vacation in 2024. Read our previous article to find out where to go if you are tired of the heat and want a moderately warm vacation.
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Frequently
ASK QUESTIONS
Why do forest fires occur?
Forest fires are also caused by adverse weather conditions: high air temperatures, overheated soils and prolonged lack of rain. This leads to drought and creates additional conditions for spontaneous combustion of peat, while strong and gusty winds spread the fire quickly. Forests located near large industrial centers, health facilities, roads and power grids require special attention.
Why is it so hot in Europe now?
Europe has experienced hot months before, but climate change is making the current situation worse in many regions. Experts say the climate phenomena El Niño and La Niña are partly responsible. El Niño, a so-called “warm weather event”, is characterized by above-average sea surface temperatures and increased precipitation in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, but has global effects that also affect Europe.
What will the temperatures be in Europe in 2050?
According to the 2050 climate scenario developed by NASA, continued growth in greenhouse gas emissions at today’s rate could lead to an additional global warming of about 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. In Andalusia, for example, temperatures can reach 40° on more than 20 days a year. Even in a city like Berlin, temperatures will regularly exceed 35°. Climate change could limit people’s ability to work outdoors and, in extreme cases, endanger their lives!
Where is it coolest in Europe in summer?
To avoid unusual heat, tourists should choose trips to the northern and central regions of Europe. These can be Copenhagen (Denmark), the Isle of Skye (Scotland), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Reykjavik (Iceland), the Faroe Islands (Denmark), Oslo (Norway), Sopot (Poland), Devon (England), Rovaniemi (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden) or Ostend (Belgium).
