As Europe continues to battle the effects of the extreme temperatures it has been experiencing so far this summer, wildfires are proving an ever-increasing concern, with the latest country to be hit being yet another popular tourist destination – Portugal.
Around 600 firefighters have been brought in to deal with a blaze near Cascais, which is around a 40-minute drive west of Lisbon.
Water bombing planes have been utilised, but strong winds have complicated elements of the response, fanning the flames, and seeing some desperate residents trying to protect their homes with hosepipes and water buckets.
Fires have also affected other areas of Europe, with people being evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes and blazes being encountered in Sicily in Italy, Dubrovnik in Croatia, and more.
With this in mind, is Portugal still safe to travel to?
Here is what you need to know.
Is it safe to travel to Portugal?
As of today (July 26), the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (the department of government that deals with British affairs abroad) is yet to warn against travel to Portugal.
However, the department has advised British travellers to Portugal that ‘no travel can be guaranteed safe’ and that they should make adequate preparations in advance and take precautions while visiting.
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This includes reading the FCDO advice on support for British nationals abroad and, most importantly, making sure you research your destination thoroughly and take out adequate travel insurance that ‘should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.’
When it comes to fires specifically, the advice warns that forest fires are ‘highly dangerous and unpredictable’ and can occur anywhere in Portugal, with the risk being exceptionally high during periods of hot and dry weather.
During wildfires, the Foreign Office state that Portuguese authorities may have to evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons.
The FCDO offers three critical pieces of advice:
- Ensure to familiarise yourself with local safety and emergency procedures
- Always follow the advice of the Portuguese authorities
- If you spot a wildfire, call the emergency services on 112
If you have concerns, it is always good practice to check with your travel operator or hotel before travelling.
The latest Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office travel advice for Portugal can be found on the gov.uk website.
Can I get a refund on my trip to Portugal?
Unless the Foreign Office advises you to cancel your holiday, or it is cancelled by your airline or tour operator there is no guarantee you’ll get your money back if you choose not to travel.
Most insurance policies only pay out due to trip cancellations in certain circumstances such as death, bereavement and extremely long days.
Airlines are also not obligated to offer refunds if a trip is cancelled due to something beyond their control, such as the weather.
However, it is always worth checking with your airline or tour provider to see whether they might be able to offer you anything, such as rescheduling the trip, or moving it to a different location.
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