Safeture, a risk management platform, has published a report in collaboration with Riskline, the travel risk analysis company. The report, entitled Wildfire Informer, suggests that wildfires’ frequency and intensity will increase dramatically in 2024.
Europe witnessed a large increase in burned areas in 2023, with unprecedented fires in February and March. Fires were mapped in 24 of the 27 European Union states (all except Luxembourg, Malta, and Slovakia). In Greece, at least 28 people lost their lives, and several holiday resorts on the island of Rhodes had to be evacuated by sea.
Data for the first quarter of 2024 indicate that the number of fires is expected to double this year. This increase is largely attributed to prolonged drought periods, unusually high temperatures, and the effects of climate change. Areas traditionally not prone to fires are now increasingly affected by wildfires.
The unpredictability of wildfire speed and spread due to fluctuating winds and dryness can quickly become a life-threatening hazard. The Safeture and Riskline wildfire report offers travellers the following tips on minimising risks.
Before the trip:
- Obtain travel insurance that covers cancellations due to natural disasters
- Pack a high-performance mobile phone with good reception and a power bank
- Download apps that provide real-time information on wildfires, evacuation routes, and safety tips.
On-site:
- Monitor weather forecasts and follow local media
- Ensure your accommodation is equipped with smoke detectors
- Pack a backpack with essential items (water, food, medications, documents, first aid kit, etc).
At the first sign of wildfire:
- Observe the direction of the smoke plume and move in the opposite direction
- If the atmosphere takes on a yellow-orange to reddish hue, leave the area immediately
- Note that white smoke indicates fast-burning materials like grass, while dark smoke signifies longer-lasting fires from dense brush or wood
- Remember that fires spread more quickly uphill than downhill.
Safeture and Riskline emphasise the importance of being well prepared and staying informed to ensure safety during travel in wildfire-prone areas.
Last year travel agency TUI reported that its response to the 2023 wildfires in Greece cost approximately €25 million.