The Foreign Office has urgently updated travelling advice for people going to France after parts were swept by devastating forest fires. The heatwave has left much of Europe like a tinderbox and serious concerns have been raised about the safety of holidaymakers.
On Tuesday at 5.50pm the advice was updated with officials saying access to some areas is 'forbidden' and gave out emergency numbers for people to seek consular assistance from the embassy staff if they are trapped.
The update said: "There are currently two forest fires in the Gironde department near the towns of La-Teste-de-Buch and Landiras with preventative evacuations of some areas and several road closures. Access to all forest areas in the Gironde is currently forbidden."
Two huge fires feeding on tinder-dry pine forests in the Gironde region have forced tens of thousands of people to flee homes and summer vacation spots. Water-bombing planes and more than 2,000 firefighters are working day and night to contain that fire and another fierce blaze south west of Bordeaux that investigators are treating as accidental. The blazes have already burned through more than 70 square miles of forest and vegetation, Gironde authorities said.
Anyone in need of help is urged to follow the instructions of local authorities and call 112 if they need emergency assistance. anyone needing urgent consular assistance you should call 01 44 51 31 00. A spokesman added: "There is currently a heightened risk of forest fires due to exceptionally high temperatures in other areas of France. You should familiarise yourselves with local emergency procedures and restrictions in place."
People travelling to the continent are also being warned of an increase in traffic between the UK and France on trains, planes, ferries and the Channel Tunnel, which could lead to delays at certain times. Industrial action in France and resource constraints of travel operators could also cause further disruption.
A spokesman told travellers: "Before travelling, you should check for the latest information with your travel operator or airline, including their advice on how early you should arrive at the terminal or airport to check in. Where possible, you should make sure you have a confirmed booking before you travel and ensure you are fully prepared for your trip, including for the possibility of delays, with enough food and water."
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