Contributions by Claudia Gualdi, Diego Maloney, Farhan Rafi, Lorena Peña, Lorenzo Trevisan and Patricia Baruffi
Once rare and seasonal, fires are now more intense, frequent and global, affecting not only forests and wildlife but flights, roads and travellers. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million hectares burned across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In 2025, the pattern shows no signs of slowing.
Driven by climate change, poor land management and urban expansion, wildfires are now disrupting transport networks by triggering airport closures, train cancellations and motorway blockages, while deteriorating air quality poses serious health risks. Destinations once considered safe year-round are increasingly facing evacuations and travel disruptions, highlighting the global scale of these events.
Europe’s Rising Wildfire Threat: From Southern Summers to Northern Surprises
In Europe, wildfires have become an annual threat. Countries like Portugal, Greece and Italy now see regular summer outbreaks that affect both rural villages and popular tourist destinations. In September 2024, fires in Portugal’s Aveiro district forced the closure of major roads and disrupted rail travel. In Greece, wildfires near Athens in August prompted evacuations and flight disruptions.
Northern Europe is not exempt. The UK recorded its most severe season to date in early 2025, with more than 30,000 hectares burned, well above average.
Middle East and Africa: Heat and Risk Rising
In the Middle East, fire risk peaks between April and October. In 2025, Israel declared a national emergency after wildfires near Jerusalem burned over 2,500 hectares, shutting roads and halting train services. Türkiye, Lebanon and parts of Iran have also experienced significant fire events.
Across Africa, wildfires are increasing due to drought, deforestation and rising temperatures. In Kenya, over 180 incidents were recorded in early 2025, affecting national parks and forest reserves. The normally damp Congo Basin has even seen a surge in fire activity, signalling broader climate shifts.
Asia-Pacific: Bushfire Seasons Intensify
Australia remains one of the world’s wildfire hotspots. In 2024–25, Western Australia and Victoria faced severe fires as early as March. The Grampians National Park fire burned more than 76,000 hectares, affecting both national parks and farmland.
In Indonesia, wildfires in East Nusa Tenggara burned nearly 284,000 hectares in 2024. Meanwhile, India has seen a 52% rise in fire frequency over two decades. States such as Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh reported thousands of incidents this year alone.
The Americas: Fires from Patagonia to California
In the United States, seasons vary by region. In early 2025, California’s Los Angeles area was hit by urban fires, driven by extreme dryness following unusually wet weather. In Canada, major blazes in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan prompted evacuations in May. Canada saw more than 5.3 million hectares burned through 2024 and another 620,000 hectares as of mid-2025.
In South America, Guatemala’s Sierra de las Minas lost over 11,000 hectares in a single blaze last year. Colombia and Venezuela have recorded tens of thousands of hectares burned already in 2025. Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands also experienced record-breaking fires last year, with 1.22 million hectares scorched by August 2024, equivalent to half the size of Belgium.
How to Travel Safely During Wildfire Season
Get the Right Travel Insurance
Before setting off, make sure your travel insurance covers disruptions caused by natural disasters, including wildfires. This should extend to trip cancellations, delays and emergency evacuations. While airlines or governments may occasionally offer support during major incidents, these are exceptions rather than the rule and shouldn’t be relied upon.
Monitor Air Quality
Wildfire smoke poses serious health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions. It can also reduce visibility and affect travel safety. If you’re heading to a high-risk area, bring N95 masks and stay indoors on poor air quality days. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, especially during heatwaves or high-smoke periods.
Be Flexible and Ready to Adapt
Wildfires can prompt sudden changes to your itinerary, including road closures, flight cancellations and evacuation orders. Have a backup plan in place. Keep key travel documents accessible and prepare an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, a torch, phone chargers, cash and identification.
Follow Official Safety Advice
If you’re in an area affected by wildfire, stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Shut off any fresh air intake in air conditioning units. If local authorities order an evacuation, leave early and follow designated routes. Don’t wait for conditions to worsen, fires can escalate quickly and unpredictably. Plan routes that bypass areas designated as at risk for wildfires.
Communicate with Travel Providers
Anticipate delays and cancellations to overland and air travel due to reduced visibility caused by smoke from wildfires. If wildfires may affect your plans, contact your airline, accommodation provider, car rental company or travel agency as soon as possible. They may offer rescheduling options, waivers or advice on next steps.
Stay Informed from Reliable Sources
Wildfires can develop rapidly. Stay alert before and during your trip by following updates from:
- Government agencies and civil protection bodies
- Local fire departments and weather services
- International organisations like the Copernicus Emergency Management Service and GDACS
- Verified travel intelligence providers like Riskline
While social media can offer fast, hyper-local updates, it should be used with caution. Misinformation is common during fast-moving emergencies. Always verify what you read with trusted, official sources.
For more insights and up-to-date information on wildfire-related travel risks in 2025, consult our dedicated resource: Wildfires Informer 2025 – a complete guide to how wildfires are disrupting travel globally and how to keep your travellers safe and prepared.