Safety Bulletin: European Wildfires
Who is Affected:
All staff currently travelling, working overseas, or planning travel to France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. This is an ongoing situation that is rapidly evolving!
What is Happening?
Europe is currently experiencing a severe and rapidly evolving wildfire season, with conditions described as unprecedented in several countries. As of 27 July 2026, over 320,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain alone. The situation remains active and unpredictable across multiple countries simultaneously.
A further heatwave is forecast from 29 July 2026, which is expected to intensify conditions across the region.
Situation by Country
The Gironde fire is one of the largest wildfires in France since the Second World War. Over 220,000 people have been evacuated in the region. The A63 motorway has been partially closed and rail services south of Bordeaux have been suspended. A further heatwave is forecast from 29 July, which is expected to worsen conditions.
Active fires have been reported in Attica and central Greece. Fire danger is currently rated Extreme, with two fatalities recorded.
Multiple active fires are burning in Sicily and Sardinia. Fire danger is currently rated Very High, with one fatality recorded.
Latest FCDO advice for Portugal
Approximately 30,000 hectares have burned across Portugal, with active fires reported in northern Portugal. Fire danger is currently rated Very High.
Spain has declared a national emergency. Wildfires in Madrid, Avila and Toledo have merged into a single front described by authorities as the worst fire in the region's history. A separate fire in Castellon has forced 16,000 people to evacuate and confined a further 64,000. The FCDO advises avoiding travel to or through affected areas.
What To Do If You Are Currently in an Affected Area
- Follow all instructions from local authorities and emergency services without delay
- If an evacuation order is issued for your area, leave immediately and do not return until authorities confirm it is safe
- If you are not under an evacuation order, shelter in place, keep windows and doors closed, and monitor official emergency alerts continuously
- Do not attempt to travel through active fire zones
- Keep your mobile phone charged at all times and ensure 112 is saved as an emergency contact
- Check in with your line manager or departmental contact to confirm your safety and location as soon as possible
What To Do If You Are Planning to Travel to an Affected Country
- Check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination before departure, advice is being updated daily
- Confirm your accommodation is open and accessible before travelling
- Ensure your travel insurance covers disruption caused by natural emergencies
- Be aware that road closures, flight delays and rail disruptions may affect your journey even in areas not directly affected by fire
- Consider whether your travel is essential and whether it can be postponed
Key Resources
We recognise that this is a distressing time for those with family or colleagues in the affected areas and have listed below some key resources should they be required:
| Egencia Customer Services | If you are currently in the region or due to depart within the next 72 hours, contact Customer Services for assistance in the first instance (Egencia are facing high contact volumes and are actively prioritising urgent travel needs to support affected travellers) |
| Gallagher Crisis Resilience Support | Contact the 24/7 helpline +44 (0) 800 998 7851 |
| Imperial Insurance |
For insurance and/or travel security advice while abroad, contact the Imperial Insurer AIG on +44 (0) 1273 456 463 quoting Imperial’s Policy Number is 0010016145. If you cannot get through, please email LUPCclaims@aig.com. View detailed guidance |
| Live European Wildfire Map | |
| Managing an emergency incident | View guidance |
| Mental Health | View information on available health and wellbeing resources, including our Employee Assistance Program (available 24/7) |
| Travel advice |
The latest travel advice can be found on GOV UK’s pages |
This information has been prepared using the latest available guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the EU Joint Research Centre European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) and verified sources. The situation is evolving rapidly, and staff should monitor official sources regularly for updates. Last updated: 27 July 2026
Security Situation in the Middle East
Given the rapidly evolving security situation in the Middle East following the military strikes over the weekend, and we understand that the situation in the region will be concerning to members of the Imperial community. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all Imperial staff currently in, or traveling through, affected regions is our key priority. We are advising that all staff travel should follow Imperial's travel plan, including checking insurance policies.
Please review the following guidance and take action as required, being sure to speak to your Head of Department and operations team should you be affected in any way:
Airspace and flight disruptions
- Airspace closures across Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria and the UAE to date.
- Major airline carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad) announced flight cancellations, rerouting and temporary route suspensions. The situation remains dynamic with changes possible at short notice.
- Delays and diversions are expected on Europe-Asia and transatlantic routes that typically transit regional airspace.
Travel advisories and government actions
The United Kingdom (along with several other governments including Australia, Canada, France, and the Netherlands) updated their advisories to advise against all travel to the region, with advice for those in Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and UAE to remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. Advice will change as the situation evolves.
Recommended actions
- Travellers in or transiting the Middle East should check directly with airlines for real-time updates prior to departure.
- Any employees currently across the Middle East should monitor official government travel advisories relevant to their jurisdiction.
- Residents across GCC countries including the UAE and Qatar, and neighbouring countries, have been advised to shelter in place until further notice.
The below provides frequently asked questions (FAQs) covering key issues which may be of help to those staff currently in the Middle East.
FAQs on key issues for staff currently in the Middle East
- Should employees (and their family members) try to leave affected countries at this time?
- What should business travellers or those working overseas do if stranded at an airport with a cancelled flight and their visa is close to expiring?
- What can individuals do if their passport is held by an embassy that has closed temporarily during renewal or visa processing?
- Are there any interim options or steps individuals should consider while waiting for a local embassy to reopen?
It is important that individuals follow official government and local authority advice in relation to safety, shelter, and travel. Whether an employee or family members should leave an affected country depends on the specific circumstances:
- official travel and embassy guidance;
- airport/airspace operational status and security; and
- the individual’s immigration/travel documentation status.
We recommend that employees do not make travel decisions based on unverified information and continue to monitor official updates closely.
If a traveller is unable to depart due to flight cancellations or disruption, they should contact the border/immigration authorities at the airport as soon as possible to explain that they are unable to leave because of circumstances outside their control and to request a temporary extension (or other appropriate immigration concession), where available. If an extension cannot be granted, it may still be possible to request written confirmation or evidence that the traveller has notified the authorities and sought guidance. This may be helpful to retain and present when departing the country, if needed.
We also recommend that travellers:
- keep records of cancelled flights, rebooking attempts, and airline communications; and
- avoid leaving the airport/immigration area (where applicable) without understanding the potential immigration implications.
Options may differ depending on the individual’s nationality, the embassy involved, and the reason the passport was submitted (for example, visa processing or renewal). We recommend that individuals:
- confirm their current visa status and which embassy/consulate holds the passport;
- assess if there is an essential travel requirement; and if so,
- contact us so we can help review the available options and possible escalation routes based on the specific circumstances.
The most prudent approach is to remain in-country until the valid passport is physically returned, and to follow local authority and embassy guidance.
- Do not attempt border travel until the valid passport has been returned.
- Monitor official embassy communications closely for reopening and passport collection updates.
- If closures become prolonged, your home country consulate may be able to advise on emergency travel documentation or other support options.
- Contact us so we can help review the circumstances and support with enquiries/escalation where appropriate.
Key Resources
We recognise that this is a distressing time for those with family or colleagues in the affected areas and have listed below some key resources should they be required:
| Egencia Customer Services | If you are currently in the region or due to depart within the next 72 hours, contact Customer Services for assistance in the first instance (Egencia are facing high contact volumes and are actively prioritising urgent travel needs to support affected travellers) |
| Gallagher Crisis Resilience Support | Contact the 24/7 helpline +44 (0) 800 998 7851 |
| Imperial Insurance |
for insurance and/or travel security advice while abroad, contact the Imperial Insurer AIG on +44 (0) 1273 456 463 quoting Imperial’s Policy Number is 0010016145. If you cannot get through, please email LUPCclaims@aig.com. View detailed guidance |
| Managing an emergency incident | View guidance |
| Mental Health | View information on available health and wellbeing resources, including our Employee Assistance Program (available 24/7) |
| Travel advice | The latest travel advice can be found on GOV UK’s pages |
Travel update from 3 March 2026