Portugal wildfires 2024: is it safe to travel or should I cancel my holiday?

DEVASTATING wildfires have been spreading across Portugal since September 14, causing widespread destruction, evacuations and seven deaths.

Here we look at whether holidaymakers should postpone their trips to the country and which areas have been impacted by the blazes.

Where are the Portugal wildfires?

Several areas across Portugal have been impacted by wildfires.

There are more than 100 active wildfires around the country, which have been burning for days.

It has been reported by Portuguese authorities that there is a high risk of the fires breaking out over central and northern regions.

More than 70 residents were forced to leave the area between Porto and Aveiro in the north.

Land and homes have been ravaged by the fires in Braga and motorways have been closed between Lisbon and Porto.

Due to the severity of the emergency, Portugal asked the European Union for assistance with the wildfires.

The Portuguese government requested that the European Commission activate its Civil Protection Mechanism to combat wildfires, particularly in the Aveiro district.

Under this mechanism, the EU can provide assistance in the form of additional firefighters, water bombers and helicopters.

In response the EU mobilised eight firefighting planes to help contain the wildfires.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the bloc “stands with Portugal as it battles major wildfires” and thanked France, Greece, Italy, and Spain for their rapid reaction in providing assistance.

Spain’s military sent vehicles from its emergency response battalions and 240 specialist soldiers in combating fires.

Four water-dumping planes from France, two from Spain, and two from Italy were also deployed following the appeal, and Morocco also responded by sending two of the firefighting planes.

Is it safe to travel to Portugal or should I cancel my holiday?

Temperatures have exceeded 30C in Portugal, with over 153,000 acres of land burned across the mainland.

Over 40 homes destroyed in the Albergaria-a-Velha area alone, more than 40 people have been injured, with two suffering serious injuries, and at least seven fatalities have been reported, including four firefighters and three civilians.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not advised people against travelling to Portugal — some areas such as the Algarve and Madeira have not been impacted.

As of September 19, 2024, the FCDO’s latest travel advice for Portugal reads: “There are currently a significant number of forest fires burning in several parts of Portugal.

“The Portuguese government has declared a state of Alert until 11:59pm on Thursday 19 September.

“Access to forests and activities in rural areas may be restricted. Roads may be closed due to smoke and ash.

“The situation is fast-moving and could change rapidly.”

The advice also covers Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores.

Before travelling to Portugal, you should check whether the area you were planning to visit has been affected by the fires.

You need to speak to your travel operator in case your holiday destination is currently unaccessible due to the emergency.

However, if you choose to cancel your trip, you may not be eligible for a refund.

As the FCDO has not advised against travelling to Portugal, operators are unlikely to cancel holidays unless the place you are staying is directly affected.

Contact your insurer to see what is covered in your policy.

Some travel insurance policies have cover for natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires and earthquakes.

Generally, payouts for last-minute cancellations are only offered in certain instances — such as a death in the family or severe illness.

If you booked your trip as a package holiday, the provider will most likely offer you alternative accommodation.

It might be possible to move your travel dates, but if you booked everything separately yourself, the airline could still expect you to travel.

You may be able to postpone your accommodation and travel bookings in order to find somewhere else to stay in an unaffected area.