British tourists travelling to Almería no longer face a location-specific UK wildfire notice. The official Spain travel guidance was updated on July 22, 2026, to remove information about the Almería wildfire. However, Spain’s general warnings for summer wildfires, extreme heat and fast-changing local conditions remain in place.
The change matters most to visitors staying in Los Gallardos, Bédar and the surrounding eastern Almería province, where the earlier fire caused the greatest disruption. It does not mean every fire risk has disappeared or that travellers should stop checking local alerts.
Has the UK Lifted the Almería Wildfire Warning?
Yes, the location-specific information has been removed, but the wider Spain wildfire advice remains active.
An earlier version of the official UK travel guidance for Spain identified a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, and told people to avoid travelling into or through the affected area. The live page now states that the Almería-specific information was removed on July 22.
Reporting from the affected area also identified Bédar as one of the communities hit by the blaze.
| What changed? | What it means for travellers |
|---|---|
| The Los Gallardos wildfire notice was removed | There is no longer a location-specific UK warning for the Almería fire |
| General wildfire advice remains | New fires can still start during hot, dry and windy weather |
| No UK advice against travel to Almería is currently shown | Holidays are not automatically cancelled |
| Local instructions still take priority | Road closures or evacuation orders can be introduced quickly |
Is Almería Safe to Visit Now?
There is currently no official UK instruction telling British tourists to avoid Almería, Los Gallardos or Bédar.
Travellers can continue with planned trips, provided their accommodation is operating and access roads are open. The important distinction is that Almería is a province as well as a city. A warning concerning Los Gallardos does not automatically mean central Almería, every beach resort or the entire Costa de Almería is affected.
A practical example: two holiday bookings may both be advertised as “Almería.” One may be a city-centre hotel, while the other may be a rural villa closer to Los Gallardos or Bédar. Check the exact map pin and postcode instead of relying on the destination name shown by the booking platform.
The wider risk has not ended. Official guidance says wildfires occur frequently in Spain during summer, including on the islands, and conditions can change quickly.
What Should Los Gallardos and Bédar Visitors Check Before Travelling?
Contact the accommodation directly and ask about roads, smoke and local restrictions before leaving the UK.
Ask these three specific questions:
- Are all normal access roads to the property open?
- Is the accommodation inside or near any current restricted area?
- Has smoke, fire damage or a utility interruption affected the property?
Do not settle for a general reply such as “everything is fine.” Ask the hotel, villa manager or tour operator to confirm the property’s status in writing. That message can be useful if conditions later change and you need to contact an insurer.
Travellers should also check:
- The latest AEMET weather warnings
- Airline and airport notifications
- Messages from the accommodation
- Road and public transport updates
- The live UK travel guidance for Spain
AEMET’s warning service provides updated information on adverse weather that may affect Spain during the following 72 hours.
Should British Tourists Cancel an Almería Holiday?
Do not cancel solely because an old wildfire alert appears in a social-media post or search result.
The live location-specific warning has been removed. In the absence of official advice against travel, a holiday company may apply its normal cancellation charges when a customer chooses not to travel. ABTA advises customers to speak to their travel provider before cancelling.
Travel insurance does not provide identical cover in every policy. Some plans include disruption caused by wildfires or extreme weather, while others require a specific official warning or transport cancellation. The Association of British Insurers advises travellers to check the policy wording and contact the insurer before making unrecoverable arrangements.
Best order of action:
- Contact the accommodation.
- Contact the airline or package provider.
- Ask the insurer what evidence it requires.
- Cancel only after understanding the likely charges.
What Should You Do If Smoke or Fire Returns Near Your Hotel?
Follow local evacuation instructions immediately and do not drive into an affected area to investigate.
The earlier Los Gallardos notice told travellers to avoid entering or passing through the affected zone, follow emergency-service updates and call 112 in an emergency. Spain’s continuing safety guidance also says any fire should be reported immediately because wildfire conditions can change rapidly.
Keep a small evacuation bag ready with:
- Passports and travel documents
- Essential medication
- Phone and charged power bank
- Water
- Car and accommodation keys
- One change of clothing
- Insurance and booking details
Do not stop to film a fire, collect unnecessary luggage or wait for smoke to reach the property. Leaving when instructed is safer than trying to judge the fire’s direction yourself.
Which Emergency Numbers Should Almería Tourists Save?
Save 112 before travelling and keep the British consular number offline.
| Service | Contact |
| Police, fire or ambulance emergency | 112 |
| British consular assistance in Spain | +34 917 146 300 |
| British consular assistance from the UK | +44 207 008 5000 |
The Spanish police and Civil Guard also provide the free AlertCops app, which allows users to contact security services directly and discreetly. The service supports several languages, including English.
A useful detail: do not rely on screenshots of the earlier July 10 warning. That version contained event-specific contact information that no longer appears on the live page. Use current official guidance and active emergency numbers instead.
What Should Tourists Avoid During Almería’s Wildfire Season?
Avoid any activity that can create a spark or flame near dry vegetation.
Official guidance warns that accidentally causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain. Travellers should:
- Never light an unauthorised barbecue in or near forest areas
- Fully extinguish cigarettes
- Never throw cigarette ends from a vehicle
- Avoid leaving glass bottles in dry vegetation
- Follow signs closing walking trails or natural parks
- Move away from demonstrations or emergency-response areas
Failure to follow restrictions can result in heavy fines, even when a fire was not started deliberately.
The Bottom Line for Almería, Los Gallardos and Bédar
The Almería-specific wildfire alert has been removed, so British tourists are not currently being told to avoid the destination.
Trips should not be cancelled automatically. Instead, travellers should verify their exact accommodation location, confirm road access and continue monitoring weather and emergency updates.
The most useful rule is simple: check the live map, not yesterday’s headline. A province-wide destination label rarely gives enough information during a local emergency.
