Extreme heat and wildfires pose a serious threat to Southern Europe. The authorities are forced to impose new restrictions and evacuate the population due to the increased risks to citizens. 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 wreaking havoc on travelers in Southern Europe. This summer, as in the past, the weather conditions are causing serious problems, including mass evacuations and life-threatening situations. At the same time, the risk of forest fires has spread to previously unaffected areas, going far beyond the Mediterranean region. Read more about the new restrictions and safety measures in the article with a link to the Independent.

Important tips for traveling to popular resorts and how to stay safe in case you find yourself at risk can be found here.

Fires in Greece: high danger and evacuations

Greece faces an extremely high risk of fires, especially in areas near Athens. The General Secretariat of Civil Protection of Greece has declared a “very high risk” and “extreme risk” of fires in many regions of the country. Despite the difficult conditions, Athens International Airport continues to operate, although passengers are warned of possible delays due to road closures. Australian Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, urges people to avoid the affected areas and stay at home if there is smoke nearby.

Fire danger in Spain: increased risk

In Spain, the meteorological service Aemet has declared an “extreme risk” of fires in a large part of the country, including the Pyrenees, the Basque region and the southern part of Spain. The island of Mallorca, a popular tourist destination, is suffering from drought, which has led to water supply restrictions. In the province of Castellón, on the Mediterranean coast, the authorities have banned the filling of swimming pools due to the worst drought in history. In the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife and Gran Canaria, winds of more than 50 km/h are forecast, which increases the risk of fires.

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Portugal: preparing for the peak of the fire season

The fire season in Portugal has already begun and may last until October. The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon urges people to prepare for possible evacuations and have backup routes due to possible road closures. In the Montesinho Natural Park in northern Portugal, more than 250 firefighters are battling a fire that started on Saturday.

Albania: EU assistance in fighting fires

Due to dry and hot weather, forest fires are common in Albania from April to October. The European Union is providing emergency assistance to Albania to fight the fires, starting on August 14.

Croatia: strict safety measures in forests

Croatia, with almost half of its territory covered by forests, has stepped up security measures to prevent fires. The country has installed 220 cameras in 110 forest locations to monitor the behavior of tourists. Foreigners are warned about severe fines for fire-related violations: from €1,200 for accidentally causing a fire to €20,000 and even imprisonment for intentional ignition.

Remember! When traveling abroad, be sure to take care of your safety. It is important for tourists traveling in Europe in particular to be sure that they will be able to count on medical care in the host country, especially now that Europe is on fire. To have guarantees and be confident in your own protection, we advise you to take out travel insurance, which will allow you to count on assistance throughout the European Union.

We remind you! We have prepared a list of cities that offer cool and comfortable weather, making them ideal for a summer vacation in 2024. Read where to go if you are tired of the heat and want a moderately warm vacation in our previous article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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