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Severe wildfires continue to rage across southern Europe as British holidaymakers face travel warnings for Spain and Portugal. The UK Foreign Office has issued specific guidance due to ongoing dangers from blazes that have created one of the worst wildfire summers in two decades.
Spain's national weather agency warned that practically the entire country faced very high wildfire risk on Saturday as temperatures exceeded 44C. Seven people have died and more than 575 square miles have been devastated by flames, with emergency services battling 14 major fires across the country.
Army units have been deployed to help contain the Spanish blazes, with residents in affected areas urged to avoid unnecessary travel and remain indoors. The most serious forest fires are concentrated in the northwest and west, including Castile and Leon, Galicia, Asturias and Extremadura regions.
Crisis escalates across Portugal
Portugal has deployed nearly 4,000 firefighters to combat multiple large blazes in central and northern regions. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from areas popular with tourists, with authorities extending the current state of alert through the weekend.
According to Liverpool Echo, a rare fire tornado formed in the Aguiar de Beira region during extreme heat conditions. The phenomenon occurs when air rotates into a vortex, creating devastating destruction across the landscape.
The crisis has claimed notable victims, with Daily Star reporting that Carlos Dâmaso, former mayor of Vila Franca, died while fighting fires in Pęra do Moço in Guarda municipality. Dâmaso was campaigning as an independent candidate for October parish council elections.
International emergency response
Greece and Turkey are also battling significant wildfires, with a blaze burning for four consecutive days on the Greek island of Chios prompting overnight evacuations. Turkish firefighters have largely contained fires across several provinces after earlier blazes forced thousands to flee their homes.
The wildfire smoke is affecting British weather, with the UK Met Office confirming hazy conditions across the country. Around 10 roads remain closed in Spain, along with the train line between Madrid and Galicia.
Travel warnings issued
The UK Foreign Office warns that wildfires happen frequently in Spain during summer months, advising visitors to remain aware of their environment when driving through woodland areas. "Causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, even if unintentional," the guidance states.
Travellers must ensure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, avoid lighting barbecues, and not leave empty bottles behind. Heavy fines apply for breaking rules against outdoor barbecues in forest areas, with emergency services reachable on 112.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Liverpool Echo", "Daily Star", "Chronicle Live", "Manchester Evening News"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
