On holiday near wildfires - WTF to do?

[thetinsoldier]

We’re in Bordeaux, 40k from the fires. It’s really smoky, the sun is covered by smoke and it’s really quite scary. Have spoken to neighbours and they say the smoke is just being blown this way, we’re not in danger, but it’s horrible and scary.

What would you do??

Thanks. They were staying in a static caravan on site so don't have camping gear!
They're on the road, heading towards Bordeaux apparently, just looking for a bed for the night and then figure it out from there!

OP I would seriously consider leaving too. 40 km is no distance. Do you have a hire car? Could you head elsewhere for a couple of days and see if the fires are put out?

Pack up and leave asap. I wouldn't stay the wind can spread these fire far and wide.

If the wind is blowing the smoke your way then it will be blowing the fire your way too

I’m so sorry. That’s really rotten for them. I hope they find somewhere to stay

reports are horrendous from Biscarosse. This picture broke my heart. My family are in the Lot and free from fires at the moment but we are so worried that it is only a matter of time.

Please leave.

Please get out. I was in a forest fire a few years ago. We just avoided exh’s house burning down. It was so frightening. I would leave.

this photo...

Call your insurance, explain it’s really smoky etc, they can advise

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france

Useful info here

I live in California now, and my house was less than 5 miles from where the fires ended last year. Weirdly we were never told to evacuate, the line where they did was around 2 miles from us. We did though on the second day because fire moves fast, especially in high winds, and also the power all went out. I first hand saw the fire move from where it started to where ite ended in the west side in the course of a work day from our office, though again, that was probably 5-10 miles total, it was more about the acres it covered. If it is windy, I'd be seriously looking at going home ASAP. Also, wildfire smoke can be very bad for lungs. My SIL makes her kids wear I95 masks when the fires happen near them. It might come to nothing and blow out the other direction the next day, but honestly that one night i spent with my "to go" bag waiting to hear if we had to get in the car was awful. I think I had alarms set every 30 mins to wake up and check alerts. Sorry, that is a miserable holiday experience.

Yeah, we have a car. assembling grab bag now.

I rang 112 and the advice is to stay in. There is no risk for where we are.

Still not that happy. But we need to pick up a family meme from Bordeaux airport this eve - that is, if they get here. Ffs.

I would recommend calling your travel insurance

They may prefer to cover costs of travel back now and a refund, or perhaps alternative accommodation much further north / in the mountains, rather than risk a much greater expense if you need emergency evacuation or worse.

Op its been an awful summer
I've just had to cancel half my holiday due to extreme heat and lost some money

We went to a campsite earlier this year near Bordeaux which has since been evacuated. I still follow them on social media. They went from everything is safe, no need to evacuate, to everyone get out right now very quickly.

do you have a hire car?

I’m expecting that kind of night too. Another option is to get a hotel for the night in Bordeaux.

I’m really sorry for your experience. It sounds terrifying.

Sorry just seen you do have a car. I’d stay out if I were you for now then as at least you can travel onwards if you can… but honestly think you are going to struggle to enjoy the holiday anyway so worth considering the alternatives.

Yes, we do.

It depends on lots of factors such as wind, the urban environment. I currently have one 15 km away, and its being held in its position, so I wouldn't worry untowardly. Keep asking neighbours each day and watch for local news and emergency alerts. Have a plan just incase, enjoy your holiday

@thetinsoldier Macron has called in the Army to help out.
Don't panic. If you need to evacuate you will receive an alert on your phone automatically (all phones in the area will beep loudly- loud enough to wake you anyone up) telling you to evacuate.

@thetinsoldier i'm in greece at the moment and i got a prepare for possible evacuation message through as an emergency text yesterday ,although others in the same place didn't, but you might get that

I would book to stay somewhere else for a night or two until you know what’s going to happen. Waiting to the last minute and trying to get out of area on packed roads as the fires creeps closer would be extremely frightening.

I’m in France at the moment for an extended period of time, hundreds of miles from the fires fortunately, but am in contact with friends who had to be evacuated from their commune by boat as the roads could not be passed. They have nowhere to stay and we are trying to see if we can help them get to our place (we are on an island). It all sounds terrifying and over 1,000 exhausted firefighters are fighting the flames.

OP, don’t waste any time. I am
literally watching French TV as I type and fire officials are explaining that the wind is blowing the forest fires towards Bordeaux right now, in real time. Leave.

Can you take a look on the Eurocamp website for example and see if there’s some cheaper accommodation you can book further away and just drive there at least for a few days?