Family travel and smoke · checked against official sources 16 August 2026 at 09:47 UK time
Wildfire Smoke And Children: Should You Travel?
A cautious travel decision page for families checking wildfire smoke, heat, air quality, campsites and accommodation in Europe.
Short answer: if smoke is present, forecast to persist, or official health advice warns vulnerable people to reduce exposure, treat children as a reason to be more cautious. Choose cleaner air, indoor shelter and flexible plans over trying to push through a smoky itinerary.
Smoke travel adviceCountry travel advice
Family checks before you go
Smoke forecast
Check local air-quality or health advice, not only whether flames are nearby.Indoor refuge
Confirm accommodation has clean indoor space, working cooling and windows that can close.Route flexibility
Avoid plans that force long outdoor waits, remote campsites or one-route exits during smoky periods.Medical needs
Bring medicines, inhalers and written health details, and seek professional advice for asthma or lung/heart conditions.When to rethink the trip
- Authorities advise vulnerable people or children to stay indoors or avoid the area.
- Your accommodation cannot provide a clean indoor fallback from smoke and heat.
- The trip depends on campsites, walking, beaches, queues or outdoor events in smoke.
- You would have to drive through smoke, closure areas or active firefighting routes.
Sources used for this page
General smoke advice
How smoke affects route, accommodation and outdoor plans.Smoke in a campervan
Extra checks for vans, tents, aires and campsites.Cancellation checks
What to record if smoke or official advice disrupts a trip.Europe Fire Map is travel decision support, not an emergency service or an official incident feed. Conditions can change faster than this page. Follow local authorities, accommodation providers and emergency services first. In danger anywhere in the EU, call 112.