Brits heading off on summer breaks to parts of Europe that have been hit by wildfires are being urged to follow certain precautions as the crises looks set to continue in August.

Simon Calder is asking travellers not to assume "it won't happen to you" after the scenes in recent weeks that forced people to evacuate several areas in Spain, France, and Italy. Mr Calder is also urging people to have a plan in place if an evacuation order comes.

Along with advice from the British Red Cross, Mr Calder is saying travellers should know their exits, keep essentials together overnight, and make sure everyone in their group understands where to meet if they get separated.

He said: “Plan your evacuation in advance. So, the vast majority of people, this isn't going to happen to. But work out where you are going to go and, if you're travelling with a family and you're going to be doing different things during the day, work out how you are going to coordinate.

"Have your money, your phone, some water, crucially your medication and your passports ready to take with you at a moment's notice."

Addressing travellers during his podcast, Mr Calder also said package holidays usually offer the strongest safeguards if travel plans are thrown into chaos, while those who booked flights and accommodation separately may have fewer options if airports remain open and services are continuing.

The foreign travel advice on gov.uk issued the following message regarding the current situation in France: "Wildfires are affecting parts of Gironde and Landes in the south-west of France.

"French authorities have evacuated campsites, tourist accommodation and some residential areas. Access to affected areas may be restricted and roads may close at short notice. Further evacuations may take place." It also added "no travel can be guaranteed safe," a message that also applied to Spain.

It also said: "Spanish authorities have declared a national emergency because of wildfires in parts of Madrid and Ávila. There are also reports of wildfires in other inland areas of Spain.

"If you are in an area affected by a wildfire: follow instructions from local authorities and emergency services at all times, check updates from the emergency services, call 112 if you need emergency help."