BRITS visiting or living in Spain have been urged to listen to local authorities as a series of devastating wildfires continue to leave a trail of destruction across western Europe.
More than 300,000 people have been evacuated across Spain and France in recent days as firefighters continue to battle several raging infernos, whipped up by extreme heat, tinder-dry ground and high winds.
That includes blazes in Castellon province and two near Madrid, one of which forced the evacuation of nearly 100,000 residents and was officially confirmed to be the largest in Spanish history.
In an interview with Times Radio, Hamish Falconer MP, the minister for European Relations in new prime minister Andy Burnham’s government, urged Brits on the ground in affected areas to exercise extreme caution.
“For all British citizens in France and Spain, please do follow the advice of the local authorities,” he said.
“Keep updated on our travel advice, which is changing regularly.
“The foreign secretary [Ed Miliband] has been in touch with his counterparts in France and Spain. It is obviously a very worrying set of developments and there are many British nationals who are affected.
“Our hotlines are open if people want to call and speak to the Foreign Office. Consular services are on standby to provide help where they can. But the most important advice is to listen to local authorities.”
The Foreign Office’s travel advice for Spain currently reads: “Spanish authorities have declared a national emergency because of wildfires in parts of Madrid and Avila. There are also reports of wildfires in other inland areas of Spain.
“If you are in an area affected by a wildfire: follow instructions from local authorities and emergency services at all times, check updates from the emergency services and call 112 if you need emergency help.”
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