The heat this summer has been no joke, and Europe has been getting hit especially hard. Record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to European wildfires across parts of the continent, disrupting daily life and, in some areas, travel plans.
If you have a European getaway coming up, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to panic or cancel your trip. But it does mean you’ll want to keep a closer eye on what’s happening at your destination.
From knowing what to do if wildfires are nearby to understanding when travel insurance may step in, here’s what travelers should know about navigating Europe’s extreme heat and wildfire season.
What’s happening in Europe?
This summer’s conditions are part of a bigger pattern across Europe. More than 550K hectares have burned across the EU as of August 12, about two and a half times the average for this point in the year.
Some popular summer destinations have been directly affected. In July, major wildfires in France and Spain forced more than 300K people to evacuate, prompting the EU to send firefighting aircraft and crews to help. Greece and Belgium have also faced extreme heat and wildfire activity this summer, with emergency resources deployed across the continent as conditions intensified into August.
The effects have stretched beyond the areas directly impacted by fire, too. Prolonged heat and drought have contributed to exceptionally low water levels in major rivers, including the Loire, Po, Rhine, and Danube, creating challenges for transportation, agriculture, and energy production.
How can extreme heat affect your European vacation?
High temperatures can make long days of sightseeing more challenging, especially during the hottest hours of the afternoon. They can also affect transportation, outdoor activities, and your health. The European Commission recommends limiting time outdoors during the hottest hours, planning exercise and other outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, and drinking plenty of water, even when you don’t feel thirsty.
Wildfires can create additional challenges. Depending on their location and severity, fires can lead to road closures, transportation disruptions, poor air quality, and evacuation orders. Smoke can also travel beyond the immediate area of a wildfire, so it’s worth keeping an eye on local conditions even if the fire itself isn’t close to where you’re staying.
What should you do if wildfires are affecting your destination?
First things first: follow the guidance of local authorities.
If you’re traveling to an area experiencing wildfires, check official alerts, local emergency information, and government travel advisories. If authorities issue an evacuation order, follow their instructions. You’ll also want to check directly with your airline, hotel, tour operator, and other travel providers. A wildfire in one part of a country doesn’t necessarily mean your entire destination is inaccessible, and individual providers may have their own cancellation or rebooking policies.
If you’re already traveling, keep your passport, medication, travel documents, and other essentials somewhere you can access them quickly if you need to relocate. Traveling with Faye? Store copies of important travel documents, like pictures of your passport, in Safekeeping in the Faye app.
Does travel insurance cover wildfires?
It can, if the situation meets your plan’s specific requirements for a covered natural disaster. Keep in mind that a wildfire burning somewhere in the same country as your hotel isn’t automatically a covered event on its own.
Here’s what that can look like in practice: local authorities issue a mandatory evacuation order for the area around your destination, and you can no longer travel there or stay where you’d planned. If your plan’s natural disaster requirements are met, that’s the kind of scenario that can trigger trip cancellation coverage, reimbursing up to 100% of non-refundable costs – capped at your total estimated trip cost that you input at the time of purchase – like flights, hotels, tours, tickets, and activities; this can also trigger trip interruption coverage, meaning reimbursement of up to 150% in additional transportation expenses if you need to change your plans mid-trip.
What it won’t do is treat every wildfire headline as an automatic payout. A wildfire burning two hours away, with no evacuation order and no real disruption to your plans, likely wouldn’t meet the bar on its own. Remember, a wildfire doesn’t automatically mean your trip is covered. The circumstances need to match what’s actually outlined in your specific plan.
What if you buy travel insurance after a wildfire starts?
Travel insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen events. Once an event is known, it’s no longer considered unforeseen.
For example, the wildfires currently affecting Spain, France, Greece, and Belgium are considered known events. If you purchase a travel protection plan today for a trip to those destinations while the wildfires are ongoing, losses related to those wildfires generally wouldn’t be covered for trip cancellation. In other words, travel insurance isn’t something you can purchase after a wildfire starts and expect that existing event to be covered.
That’s why it’s worth thinking about travel insurance when you’re planning and booking your trip, rather than waiting until there’s a problem. As always, take some time to read your plan. Coverage, exclusions, benefit limits, and the circumstances that trigger coverage can vary by plan.
What if it’s just really, really hot?
Extreme heat by itself shouldn’t be assumed to qualify for trip cancellation coverage. Deciding that it’s too hot to sightsee isn’t necessarily the same as experiencing a covered natural disaster that prevents you from traveling.
For example, an official evacuation order that prevents you from staying at your destination is a very different scenario from deciding you’d rather not travel because temperatures are higher than expected. However, if you have Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, you may have more flexibility to cancel and be reimbursed up to 75% of unused non-refundable trip expenses in situations that aren’t otherwise covered by your plan, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and you are medically fit to travel at the time you purchased the plan.
If you’re thinking about changing or canceling your trip, check your plan first. If you’re still not sure what’s covered, contact your travel insurance provider before making any changes.
8 ways to prepare for extreme heat and wildfires in Europe
You can’t control the weather, but you can make sure you’re prepared if conditions change.
- Check your destination before you leave. Wildfire and heat conditions can vary significantly from one region to another, even within the same country.
- Follow official alerts. Keep an eye on information from local authorities, emergency services, and government travel advisories before and during your trip.
- Double-check your transportation. Confirm flights, trains, transfers, and other transportation if wildfires are affecting the area around your destination.
- Check in with your accommodations. If fires are nearby, ask your hotel or vacation rental about current conditions and what would happen if an evacuation were ordered.
- Keep the important stuff handy. Your passport, medication, travel insurance plan, confirmation numbers, and emergency contacts should be easy to access.
- Hold onto your receipts. If a covered event interrupts your trip and you have eligible additional expenses, you’ll likely need documentation when filing a claim.
- Take the heat seriously. Stay hydrated, give yourself breaks, avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day, and pay attention to heat and air quality alerts.
- Stay updated on your destination’s weather forecast. Conditions can change quickly, especially during periods of extreme heat. Check the forecast regularly before and during your trip, and if you’re traveling with Faye, you can view your destination’s weather right in the Faye app.
How Faye can help when travel heats up
If wildfires or another covered natural disaster disrupt your trip, Faye’s travel protection may help with eligible expenses. Depending on the circumstances and your plan, that can include trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your non-refundable trip costs or trip interruption coverage for up to 150%, including additional transportation expenses.
Faye can also help while you’re on the go. The Faye app puts your plan details and destination information in one place, while 24/7 assistance means there’s a real person to turn to if your plans take an unexpected turn. And if you want more flexibility when booking, Faye’s optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage can help reimburse up to 75% of your non-refundable trip costs when you cancel for a reason that isn’t otherwise covered, as long as you meet the requirements outlined in your plan.
Because whether it’s a wildfire, a heatwave, or another travel curveball, knowing what you’re covered for before you go can make it easier to figure out your next move.
Frequently asked questions
Does travel insurance cover wildfires in Europe?
It can. If a wildfire meets your plan’s requirements for a covered natural disaster, such as a mandatory evacuation that prevents you from traveling to or staying at your destination, you may be eligible for trip cancellation or trip interruption benefits.
Can I cancel my trip because of extreme heat?
Extreme heat alone isn’t necessarily a covered reason to cancel a trip. However, if you purchased optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, you may have more flexibility to cancel for reasons that aren’t otherwise covered, subject to your plan’s terms.
Can I buy travel insurance after a wildfire has started?
You can still purchase travel insurance, but losses related to a wildfire that was already a known event when you bought your plan generally wouldn’t be covered. Travel insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen events.
What should I do if a wildfire starts while I'm already in Europe?
Follow instructions from local authorities first. Check with your airline, accommodations, and travel providers for updates, and contact your travel insurance provider to understand what benefits may apply if your trip is disrupted.
How can I prepare for extreme heat and wildfires before traveling to Europe?
Check local heat warnings, wildfire activity, and government travel advisories leading up to your trip. Keep important documents and medications accessible, stay aware of local conditions, and review your plan documents so you know what’s covered before you leave.
