Forest fires: The danger is particularly high in these holiday destinations

Barely any rain, but plenty of sunshine – the risk of forest fires in Germany is increasing. Especially in the northeast of the country, the second-highest danger level, four, will be reached this week, according to the German Weather Service (DWD) in its forest fire danger index . What is the situation in other European countries? Do vacationers have to prepare for significant restrictions due to forest fires again this year?

Looking back: While 2024 was statistically an average year for wildfires, some popular travel destinations struggled.

Ukraine , Portugal , and Turkey were the worst affected, according to the Copernicus Disaster and Crisis Management Service. Italy , Romania , and Spain also experienced a particularly high number of forest fires in 2024.

A look at Ukraine is striking. There alone, 8,753 forest fires raged, destroying approximately 965,360 hectares – more than twice the amount in the entire European Union during the same period. There is a clear connection to Russia's invasion, as: "The distribution of these fires reflects the frontline area in the war between Ukraine and Russia," reports the Copernicus Service for Disaster and Crisis Management.

For Portugal, 2024 was the worst year for wildfires since 2017, with more than 147,000 hectares burned. Severe fires began the wildfire season on the island of Madeira. Then, in mid-September, several major fires broke out simultaneously on the Portuguese mainland . The Aveiro district in the north of the country was particularly affected. In just one week, over 110,000 hectares burned – about a quarter of the EU's total burned area in the 2024 season.

The 2024 forest fire season in Turkey was the third worst on record for the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). The season began in June and resulted in 131,223 hectares burned in 1,663 fires, more than double the long-term average of approximately 46,000 hectares. The following locations were particularly affected in June 2024: İzmir, Menderes, Aydın, Manisa, Karabük, and Uşak.

There's a high probability that the summer of 2025 will also be marked by drought and wildfires. The vast majority of these fires are caused by humans—by arson or negligence, such as a carelessly discarded cigarette.

The drier and more flammable a forest is, the faster a fire can spread. Warm winds further increase the risk. Pine and spruce forests are particularly vulnerable to fires. They are usually located on very dry ground, such as sand, and have a thick layer of needles on the ground, explains the Forest Enterprise Foundation . Ideal conditions for a spark to develop into a wildfire.

In general, the risk of forest fires in Europe increases in spring, reaching its first peak in late April to early May. It increases again in the summer months between late June and late August, depending on the weather.

Europe is currently experiencing extreme weather conditions. While the Mediterranean region is experiencing repeated storms with flash floods, the north is experiencing exceptional drought, with rain failing in many places.

This means that the risk of forest fires and other severe weather events is currently increasing, especially in northwestern and central Europe, including the Benelux countries and northern Germany, as the latest report from the European Drought Observatory shows. It is also too dry in southeastern Europe and Turkey.

On August 16, 2024, a thick cloud of smoke hangs over the coastal city of Izmir.

Source: IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

The situation is quite different in Spain, Italy, and Greece: These countries are experiencing a significantly wet May – a completely unusual weather pattern for this time of year. This is due to a so-called Omega weather pattern, which blocks the weather change.

Travelers will be confronted with extreme weather more frequently in the future. How can they react to this and get help quickly if the worst happens? The German Travel Association (DRV) advises vacationers to book package holidays. In this case, tour operators are responsible for the safety and smooth running of the vacation and offer their customers alternatives in case of emergency.

Another option is booking a Flex fare: Travelers pay a surcharge but then have the option to rebook or cancel their booked vacation free of charge up to a certain point before departure (for example, 14 days) without giving any reason. Prices and conditions vary depending on the tour operator.

Generally, forest fires are considered extraordinary circumstances. However, there are legal differences between package tours and individual tours. With a package tour, travelers can cancel free of charge under certain circumstances (even without the aforementioned Flex fare). The tour operator must then refund the price.

However, package holidaymakers can only invoke exceptional circumstances if the forest fires are in the immediate vicinity of the holiday destination and there are concrete disruptions such as ash rain or evacuation.

Anyone already at their vacation destination and suddenly affected by the fires can cancel their trip early with their tour operator. The additional costs for the early return trip must then be split between the travelers and the tour operator, travel lawyer Paul Degott told reisereporter. There are also claims for reductions.

Travelers who aren't starting their vacation for a few weeks should wait and see how the weather conditions develop at their destination. The mere fear of wildfires or other natural disasters does not justify a free cancellation, Degott said. Furthermore, the right to free cancellation cannot be exercised if the fires are far away from the vacation destination.

Individual travelers must adhere to the terms and conditions of their flight and booked accommodation. These should outline cancellation options. Often, if a flight is operating and accommodation is available, cancellations cannot be made free of charge.

What do travelers need to know right now? You can find all the important news for your vacation at reisereporter .