Heat, Drought and Growing Concern Across the Mediterranean
ATHENS — Southern Europe wildfires have erupted once again, prompting authorities in Greece and Türkiye to issue evacuation orders and push urgent safety guidance to residents and tourists alike. The combination of a blistering early-summer heatwave, tinder-dry vegetation and strong winds has set off multiple blazes from the Aegean coast of Türkiye to the hills south of Athens. In Greece, flames swept through parts of coastal Crete and Attica, forcing thousands of people — guests and hotel employees among them — to leave by bus and boat.
Why the 2024 Season Looks Especially Perilous
Longer, Hotter Fire Seasons
Climate scientists have warned that global warming is lengthening and intensifying fire seasons around the Mediterranean basin. Higher average temperatures, lower rainfall and prolonged drought mean forests and scrublands ignite more easily. The Southern Europe wildfires now start earlier in June and often run well into the autumn shoulder season, complicating travel plans for sun-seekers used to booking late-summer getaways.
Tourism Hot Spots in the Line of Fire
Many of the region’s best-known destinations sit adjacent to forests or farmland. From olive-covered hills in Crete to pine-coated peninsulas in Bodrum, hotels and holiday rentals sometimes border combustible terrain. When coastal winds pick up — the famed Meltemi in the Aegean, for example — embers can travel kilometers in minutes.
Practical Steps Before You Fly
1. Monitor Local Alerts
• Greece: Register for push notifications through the Hellenic Emergency Communication Service, which sends bilingual SMS warnings to roaming phones. • Türkiye: Download the AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) mobile app for color-coded danger ratings and evacuation orders. • European Union: The EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service maintains near-real-time fire maps that can be viewed in any browser.
2. Build a “Grab Bag”
Government travel advisories in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada all echo the same advice: pack a small daypack with passports, medications, charging cables, a photocopy of travel insurance and a credit card in case authorities order a sudden evacuation. Keep this kit by the door or bed at all times.
3. Review Your Insurance Policy
Wildfires fall under the “natural catastrophe” or “weather disruption” clauses of most comprehensive travel insurance. Still, coverage varies widely: • Trip Cancellation: Many insurers reimburse only if your airline, cruise line or hotel formally cancels service. • Trip Curtailment: If you must evacuate mid-vacation, look for policies offering reimbursement of unused hotel nights and additional transport costs. • Voluntary Change-of-Mind: Simply deciding to skip a destination because of media reports usually is not covered unless a government issues an outright “Do Not Travel” advisory.
On the Ground: What to Do If Fires Break Out Nearby
Follow Official Instructions Immediately
“Minutes can make the difference between a safe relocation and a life-threatening situation,” Greek Civil Protection authorities warned last week after ordering the precautionary evacuation of roughly 5,000 people on Crete. Travelers should heed instructions from firefighters, police or hotel management without negotiation.
Keep Documents Handy
Borders within the Schengen Zone may be open, but airlines and ferries still require ID. Locate your passport, residence permit (if applicable) and boarding passes before leaving your room. Store them in a waterproof pouch.
Contact Your Embassy or Consulate
Most diplomatic missions maintain 24-hour emergency phone lines. Consular staff can replace lost passports, coordinate medical care or arrange short-term housing if your hotel is damaged.
Can I Still Visit Southern Europe This Summer?
The short answer is yes, though vigilance is vital. Islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, or city breaks in Athens and Istanbul, remain largely unaffected. The same is true for Türkiye’s Mediterranean resorts around Antalya. Nonetheless, all travelers should build flexibility into their itineraries: • Lock in refundable rates when possible. • Leave a cushion of two to three hours between ferry connections and flights. • Consider splitting your stay between two regions so you have a fallback option.
Should I Book Last-Minute Instead?
Last-minute booking allows you to monitor fire maps before committing. The trade-off is availability — budget accommodations can sell out quickly once conditions stabilize. If you plan to travel during late July or August, securing at least a cancelable reservation remains wise.
FAQs for JetsetterGuide Readers
Q: Are cruise itineraries changing ports because of Southern Europe wildfires?
A: At present, major cruise lines continue scheduled Aegean calls. However, port swaps may occur if smoke affects visibility. Monitor cruise-line apps and push notifications. Q: Do airlines refund tickets if airports close for smoke?
A: Most carriers offer rebooking or vouchers if an airport shuts down. Cash refunds depend on your ticket class and European Union Regulation 261/2004 on passenger rights. Q: Are power cuts common during wildfires?
A: Greek and Turkish utilities sometimes preemptively shut off electricity in rural areas to prevent new ignitions. Pack a small battery bank to keep phones running.
Traveler Takeaways
1. Southern Europe wildfires are a recurring reality, but they rarely envelop entire regions at once. 2. Signing up for official SMS alerts takes less than five minutes and can save lives. 3. Double-check that your travel insurance covers wildfire-related disruption. 4. Keep essential documents in a single, easy-to-grab pouch. 5. Flexibility — refundable bookings, loose itineraries — is the best hedge against sudden fire-related changes.
