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??

Friends had this a couple of weeks ago, so drove back up to north of the loire - they were camping though so more flexibility. Can your hire car be returned to another city?

But I would personally leave because I d just be anxious and also I hate the smell of smoke.

And bless you you went by train - I do have slightly less sympathy to people who fly everywhere and expect the destination to be undamaged when they arrive.

Yes t know Im a miserable scold but ive been warning people about this for 40 years and Im feeling a little jaded.

But stay safe everyone, I am truly sorry it has come to this 😞

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

I imagine Australia is much better prepared to deal with wildfires and there will be fire breaks in place, fully equipped fire departments, etc. The reason its so dangerous now is because that region of France is just not equipped to deal with it and have no idea how it will progress.

https://www.sudouest.fr/

If you don't end up leaving, here's a piece of advice having gone through this before - charge all your mobile devices, laptops, ipads, phones, power banks etc. We had power cuts for days after the fires and I wish I had fully charged everything when i was able to.

I’d get onto Air B n B or just booking.com and see what’s available north / east of there. You at least have salvaged a holiday. And see if travel insurance might cover it when you are back.

Mayor of Bordeaux now live on TV explaining they have launched evacuation for 3 communes with more to follow.

Head of civil security is explaining that many people don’t think they are in danger as they can’t see any smoke and do not understand the fire is on its way.

You imagine? There a real person seeking advice here, you should post about what you know or not post.

We had an Airbnb booked in another part of France affected by wildfires and they've cancelled and refunded no questions asked (in fact, they reached out to us). Hopefully VRBO will do the same for you.

Lots of French campsites have both pitches and static caravans

Having heard a man talk on r4 recently about losing his wife and dog in the same circumstances in Spain I’d be getting the fuck out of there tbh

Leave op. Better safe than sorry

Personally I would pack stuff and book a cheap hotel in a city centre for a couple of nights and see how it pans out. It’s not as if you’re going to be going for countryside walks and enjoying the great outdoors where you are. Good luck with whatever you decide. I feel so sorry for the people losing everything to these fires.

https://x.com/UKinFrance

I'm currently on holiday and hour and a half east of Bordeaux and it's been thick with smoke this evening and we can really smell it, so I am amazed that anyone closer can't see or smell it yet. I suppose it depends on wind direction though.

I’d leave but I’ve got COPD so staying would probably result in a hospital admission as I can’t cope with smoke at all . On a practical level if you stay make sure you have your passports with you at all times just in case your accommodation gets cut off whilst you are out .

There’s an app called purple air that shows the quality of air in places. Only found out about it recently due to local fires, we were red due to winds bringing it our way, told to keep windows shut and don’t be outside.

Bordeaux is currently purple which is a danger to health. So apart from the actual danger of the fires reaching you it sounds like the air outside is already toxic, so not a way to enjoy a holiday… I would follow advice but I’d be looking to move or go home. Sorry Op must be stressful.

Of course it's inconvenient, but when you are surrounded by people who are losing everything, and people are dying. it's a bit crass to complain about your holiday.

Some people will have literally nothing left.

This is such a worrying thread. I agree with pp that OP should take all her family members in the car when picking up from the airport. I presume this I s an elderly family member? The last thing you want is to be seperated or leave half you family with no car and no means to leave.

If it were me, I’d leave OP. Not just because of the fire risk but also the risk to health and the knock on effects generally. However my husband is much less cautious than I am and much more pragmatic and would want to stay put. I imagine though that even he would be very borderline given the proximity.

Go home. I can’t believe you even need to ask.

As someone who got caught up in the 2023 wild fires in Rhodes, got evacuated and had to fight with authorities to get all my luggage, money and personal belongings back I would genuinely recommend packing and leaving while you can. We had a horrific time and with hindsight should have packed and left a couple of days earlier. Good luck x

I don't know how it works but it does work. We all got a flood alert on our phones when we were in Spain last year.

So sorry this is happening OP. xx

Keep everything packed and ready. Use your stuff then put it straight back in your case.

As pps said charge everything.

Turn your car so you can get out.

Know how to get out.

Download the aps recommended. On the link up thread.

Tempted to take turns to wake up and check for safety.

You too.