A wildfire is one of those situations in which holidaymakers often realize only late how quickly smoke on the horizon can become a concrete warning. Especially in holiday regions, families may not know side roads or local warning channels, important documents are scattered around the apartment and children do not immediately understand the urgency of an evacuation. Preparing a few things means having fewer decisions to make in an emergency.
How topical the issue is is shown by the situation in southwest France: according to ORF, nearly 30,000 people had to be moved to safety on 24 July 2026 because of large wildfires. However, this article is not a situation report for a specific region. It shows how travelers can interpret warnings, prepare a small evacuation backpack and act calmly and promptly during an official evacuation.
The most important point up front:Local authorities, the fire brigade, police, civil protection and the accommodation management set the pace in the event. A general checklist cannot replace these instructions. If an evacuation is ordered, it is no longer about packing the suitcase completely, but about getting people safely out of the danger area.
Download checklist as PDF
The two-page A4 checklist contains checkboxes for travel preparation, warning and evacuation as well as a fillable family plan with meeting point, route and contacts.
The three phases: prepare, become alert, act
| Situation | What makes sense now | What you should avoid |
|---|---|---|
| No warning yet | Check travel advisories, save the accommodation, know the warning channels, organize documents and medications. | Only consider emergency numbers or escape routes when flames are visible. |
| Warning or smoke in the region | Follow official announcements, charge devices, gather people and prepare departure. | Following rumors, driving to the fire, using closed roads or investigating an evacuation yourself. |
| Evacuation ordered | Immediately use the official route or assembly point, keep rescue routes clear and take only portable emergency luggage. | Wait for further confirmations, go back for items or return contrary to the clearance. |
Before the trip: five minutes that save a lot of time later
The Austrian Foreign Ministry recommends that travelers pay attention to country information and use the free travel registration or the Foreign Service app for trips abroad. This stores travel data and a contact option. In a crisis, Austrian representative authorities can more easily reach registered travelers. This is particularly helpful for individual round trips, camping holidays or changing vacation accommodations.
- Save travel advisories:Open the BMEIA country page for the destination and possible transit countries. Save important notes offline as well.
- Save documents twice:Passport copies, booking confirmation, insurance number and important phone numbers should be encrypted on the phone or in a protected cloud storage. A small paper copy should remain separate from the original.
- Choose a contact person:A person outside the holiday region knows the accommodation, itinerary and names of all travelers. They will later be the calm gathering point for messages.
- Check insurance:Note which number to call in case of trip cancellation, additional accommodation or damaged luggage. In an emergency there is no time to search through long contract documents.
- Pack medications with a reserve:Personal long-term medications, dosage plan, necessary aids and a small reserve should be within reach and not at the very bottom of the large suitcase.
For documents, e-card and powers of attorney there is already a detailed resource on meinhaushalt.at holiday folder before departureIf you also want to leave the apartment prepared, you can find a suitable complement in the article ",".Holiday preparation for homeOn arrival: clarify address, warning channel and meeting point
In your own apartment you know the front door, stairwell and neighborhood. In a holiday home this orientation is missing. Therefore save the exact address and additionally place a map pin. Street names can sound similar, remote accommodations do not always have a clear house number, and in stress a location share is more reliable than a description from memory.
Ask the landlord, campsite or reception which channel local warnings come through. Depending on the country and region these can be mobile network warnings, apps, sirens, SMS, radio, municipal pages or direct instructions from the accommodation. Subscribe only to official sources. A photo in a travel group can be genuine and still from a different place or an earlier day.
Agree on two meeting points: one directly at the accommodation in case the family is separated at short notice, and a second outside the immediate vicinity that everyone can see on the map. Children should know the name and phone number of an adult contact person or carry it as a card. Also check where the accommodation and car keys are. They should be placed in a fixed spot immediately reachable for adults.
On moving in, the following also helps
Arrival checklist for the holiday apartment. For thunderstorm warnings, different protection rules sometimes apply; for that there is the guide What belongs in a small evacuation backpackThunderstorm in the holiday home.
The BMEIA lists for crisis situations, among other things, travel documents, medications, first aid supplies, mobile phone, water, cash and suitable clothing. The decisive word is
portable: Every adult must be able to carry their luggage themselves, one hand should be free for a child, a walking aid or opening doors. The large holiday suitcase is not an evacuation backpack.Passports, IDs, bookings, insurance contact and important phone numbers
- personal medications, dosage plan, visual aid and small first-aid kit
- Mobile phones, charging cables, charged power bank and compact flashlight
- Water and small non-perishable snacks, especially for children or for diabetes
- Cash, payment cards, accommodation and car keys
- sturdy shoes, long lightweight clothing and weather protection
- necessary aids as well as a manageable supply for baby or pet
- The backpack does not have to stand fully packed by the door for the entire holiday. A small bag with the hard-to-replace items and a visible packing list are often enough. In heightened warning levels, add water, clothing and charging equipment. Never store documents and medications in a parked car if heat, theft or separation from the vehicle is possible.
When smoke becomes visible or a warning arrives
Smoke on the horizon does not automatically mean that your accommodation must be evacuated. Wind, terrain and the operational situation can change, however. Open the official announcement, check the named location and do not wait for social media comments as confirmation. Charge phones and power banks, gather all fellow travelers and find out whether an assembly point is named.
In the event of a newly discovered fire or immediate danger, the free emergency number applies in all EU countries
112112. First give the most exact possible location, then the type of observation and whether people are at risk. Stay available for follow-up questions. The emergency number is for concrete dangers, not for general questions about holiday planning.
If authorities order you to stay inside the building initially, close windows, doors and ventilation openings. An air conditioning system with outside air intake should only be operated according to local instructions. The opposite applies to an evacuation order: leave promptly without delaying departure by long securing or packing.
Evacuation: people before things
- Read or listen to the instruction completely: Which locations are affected, which route is cleared and is there an assembly point?
- Gather all persons:Check children's rooms, bathroom, balcony and outdoor areas. Animals go into the prepared transport box or on a leash.
- Grab emergency luggage:Documents, medications, phones, water and the small bag are enough. Suitcases, sports equipment and purchases remain behind.
- Only if time allows, close:Close windows and doors, take keys and do not spend time laboriously searching for electrical devices. Your own safety comes first.
- Use the cleared route: No shortcut through forest areas, no closed roads and no driving into dense smoke. Rescue routes and access roads must remain clear.
- Report status: As soon as you are safe, briefly inform the agreed contact person about your location and next destination.
Do not drive to the viewpoint to take pictures, and do not stop on the roadside if this hinders emergency vehicles. Those who deviate to an allegedly better side route without official advice may end up in a less controllable area or block an operational axis.
Children, older people, pets: make the plan concrete
A family plan only works if roles are clear in advance. One adult takes care of the children, the other of documents, medications and keys. For adults traveling alone, an older child should know which small task they are to perform, for example fetching their own water bottle and jacket. Children need a short, factual explanation: "We are now going to a safe place and will stay together." Dramatic images and unverified rumors only increase tension.
For restricted mobility it must be clarified who carries the walker, wheelchair, hearing aid, oxygen supply or other necessary aids. Ask the accommodation early whether barrier-free assembly points or transports are provided. Do not wait until the evacuation to ask this question.
For pets include a leash, transport box, water, a small food supply and necessary medications. The box should not be deep in the trunk under luggage. Also note the chip number and veterinarian contact. Special rules may apply in collective shelters; local emergency services or the accommodation will provide information.
After the evacuation: do not return on your own
A smoke cloud that looks calmer is not permission to return. Roads may remain closed due to smoldering hotspots, damaged lines, uprooted trees or ongoing firefighting operations. Only return when the responsible authority or incident command releases the area.
Document additional accommodation and travel costs and keep receipts. In case of damage take photos only from a safe distance and do not touch lines, ash or smoldering spots. Contact the accommodation, tour operator and insurance. Update the travel registration if necessary and inform relatives about your safe location.
Those who want to help prevent wildfires can find in the existing article Wildfire danger in summer: behavior when barbecuing, in the garden and on trips the most important rules for prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drive off immediately when there is smoke?
Not automatically. Check the official warning and follow local instructions. An unplanned drive can lead into a closed zone or burden rescue routes. In case of immediate danger or an evacuation order, act immediately.
Is 112 also reachable abroad?
112 is free to reach in all EU countries and connects to fire, ambulance or police. For consular emergencies of Austrian travelers the BMEIA emergency service is available around the clock at +43 1 90115 4411.
Should I pack wet cloths or respirator masks?
An ordinary cloth covering does not provide reliable protection against all components of fire smoke. It does not replace an evacuation or official protective measures. Focus on distance, closed rooms only on instruction and the cleared route.
What do I do if family members are separated?
Use the agreed meeting point and the contact person outside the region. Tell the emergency services who is missing and where the person was last seen. Do not drive or walk back into a closed area on your own.
How much luggage is allowed?
As little as possible so that all people can act quickly and independently. Documents, medications, communication, water and necessary aids have priority. Local authorities or transport providers may set additional limits in an organized evacuation.
Sources and further information
- BMEIA: Foreign service, travel information and travel registration
- BMEIA: Protection and assistance abroad
- BMEIA: Information sheet for crisis situations abroad (PDF)
- Your Europe: European emergency number 112
- BBK: Warnings and behavior during evacuation
- ORF.at: Wildfires and evacuations in France on 24 July 2026
Article image: AI-generated stock image (gpt-image-2). The depicted situation is for illustration purposes.
