Canary Island Fires: FCO issues warning to British holidaymakers

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for British holiday makers heading to the Canary Islands to include a warning about forest fires after local residents are evacuated from affected areas.

The forest fires have so far affected areas of the Canary Islands of La Gomera and the more popular Tenerife, with residents being evacuated from a number of affected areas and roads closed to allow access to emergency services.

At present no flights to La Gomera or Tenerife have been affected.

Travel insurance can help if you are forced to move from your holiday accommodation

If you are forced to evacuate your holiday accommodation in the Canary Islands due to the threat of forest fires you may be able to make a claim on your travel insurance.

The Catastrophe section of your travel insurance policy can provide cover if you are forced to move from your pre-paid holiday accommodation due unforeseen events such as flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane, medical epidemic or local Government directive.

The cover is intended to help you to continue your holiday in alternative accommodation, or if that's not possible, return to the UK. Check your travel insurance policy before you travel for full details.

The following areas of La Gomera and Tenerife have been affected:

In La Gomera - Las Hayas, El Contadero, El Cruce de las Hayas, Los Manantiales, Chipude, Arure, Banda Las Rosas, Valle Gran Rey and El Cercado.

In Tenerife - El Tanque, Ruigomez, San Jose de los Llanos, El Palmar, Teno Alto, Lagunetas, Valle de Arriba, Erjos, Masca and Las Portelas.

The Foreign Office is advising visitors to La Gomera or Tenerife to check the Canary Government website for the latest information.

Spain has been particularly prone to forest fires this year after experiencing it's driest winter in 70 years. Forest fires have also affected areas of Alicante and Valencia on the Spanish mainland.

Where ever you are travelling in Spain or the Canary Islands make sure you have travel insurance cover in place. Get a quote for travel insurance Spain.

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