The UK Foreign Office has issued an urgent travel update for British holidaymakers heading to Spain, Portugal, and France, as Europe experiences extreme temperatures. The warning, released on Tuesday afternoon, highlights serious health risks and an elevated danger of wildfires across these popular destinations.
Record Heat in France
France recorded its hottest day ever on Tuesday, with the national thermal indicator reaching a new record of 29.8°C, surpassing the previous high of 29.4°C set in August 2003 and July 2019. Meteo France placed 54 areas under a red heatwave alert. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum restricted visiting hours, while schools and transportation schedules were disrupted. Since last week, 40 drowning deaths have been reported amid the heat.
Spain Faces Soaring Temperatures
Spain's national weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts for temperatures of 44°C in southern Andalusia and warnings of 40°C in the typically temperate regions of Cantabria and the Basque Country. Aemet meteorologist Rubén del Campo stated that Spain's increasingly torrid summers are intensifying due to climate change, with heatwaves becoming more frequent, longer, and appearing outside the traditional July-August window. Of the dozen June heatwaves recorded since 1975, half have occurred since 2015.
Health Risks and Wildfire Dangers
The Foreign Office directed travellers to the Travel Health Pro website, warning of dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. The World Health Organisation's Europe office reported that over 200,000 people have died from heat-related causes in Europe in the past four years, most of which were preventable.
Officials emphasized that causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, France, and Portugal, even if unintentional, and can result in heavy fines or prison sentences. Travellers are advised to extinguish cigarette ends properly, avoid lighting barbecues in forest areas, and not leave empty bottles behind.
Country-Specific Advice
Spain: The Foreign Office advises checking warnings from AEMET and the European Meteorological Services, following NHS guidance on staying safe in hot weather, and heeding instructions from the Spanish Ministry of Health. Sign up for email alerts (in Spanish) for local updates.
France: Travellers should monitor Meteo France forecasts and the fire alert map. Wildfires are common along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica, and authorities may evacuate areas or close roads.
Portugal: There is an increased risk of wildfires from April to October. Check forecasts from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and follow local safety instructions.
