Heat wave and risk of forest fires: vacation in the Mediterranean becomes risky!

Heat wave and risk of forest fires: vacation in the Mediterranean becomes risky!

With the arrival of summer, many holidaymakers are faced with the decision to spend their summer holidays in the popular Mediterranean regions. But the current situation is raising eyebrows when it comes to safety and health. The Federal Foreign Office published updated travel recommendations on May 27, 2025, warning of extreme temperatures and health risks in countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain and France. In these regions, heat waves with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius are particularly common and pose a serious risk.

Particular caution is recommended for vulnerable groups. Infants, children, seniors and people with chronic illnesses should take particular care. Holidaymakers are advised to avoid exposure to the sun and physical exertion during the midday heat. Specific tips are provided for hikers: sun protection, enough water, a charged cell phone and a power bank should always be at hand.

Increased risk of forest fires

An additional risk in these holiday resorts is the risk of forest fires, which has increased significantly throughout the Mediterranean region, but especially in Greece, Spain, Italy and southern France. In Greece, the risk of earthquakes could also be a concern in the summer, particularly on the island of Santorini.

In Italy, travelers are urged to prepare for water shortages and droughts. The highest alert level has been declared in Sicily, which could have consequences for the availability of water. The environmental authority Ispra regularly provides current information on the weather situation in Italy. The warming of the Mediterranean leads to rising water temperatures and less cooling in winter, which also has a negative impact on the local flora and fauna: algae and jellyfish are increasing, with some species of jellyfish can cause painful skin reactions. Fortunately, no very dangerous jellyfish, such as box jellyfish, are found in the Mediterranean.

Climate change and its effects

The increasing risk of forest fires is closely linked to climate change, which is also increasingly being felt in these regions. Johann Goldammer, an expert in this field, emphasizes that the challenges in forest management require adjustments in the care of forests. Promoting biodiversity and increasing carbon sequestration could be achieved through less intensive farming, although this may potentially result in more dead wood for fuel.

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) recommends converting conifer monocultures into multi-layered mixed forests, as hardwoods generally burn more slowly as long as their crowns are dense. However, it is not clear whether reforestation measures alone can solve the climate problem. Everyone can help combat the causes of forest fires, which is why the “Brennpunkt Wald” educational campaign offers specific rules of conduct to prevent forest fires.

• Kein offenes Feuer im Wald oder in Waldnähe entzünden.
• Grillen nur auf freigegebenen Grillplätzen erlaubt.
• Rauchen im Wald ist von März bis Ende Oktober in allen Bundesländern verboten; in sechs Bundesländern gilt dies ganzjährig.
• Glimmende Zigaretten dürfen nicht aus dem Auto geworfen werden.
• Autos sollten nicht im Wald oder auf trockenem Gras abgestellt werden, um Brandgefahr durch heiße Katalysatoren zu vermeiden.

The combination of health risks from extreme temperatures and the risk of forest fires makes it particularly important for travelers to the Mediterranean regions to be well informed and prepared. While the summer months in these countries attract many tourists, safety should always be a priority. Further information and current developments can be found in the reports from gmx.net and quarks.de to find.