Hauliers face higher fuel costs, longer journey times and increased risks to drivers as fire disruption spreads
Wildfires sweeping through France and Spain are creating a major logistics threat for hauliers, disrupting key freight routes and raising costs across European supply chains.
Road closures, smoke, extreme temperatures and lengthy diversions are affecting journeys far beyond the areas directly hit by the fires.
For transport operators, the disruption is leading to longer journey times, higher fuel bills, delayed deliveries and growing concerns over driver welfare.
More than 330,000 people have reportedly been evacuated across France and Spain during one of Europe’s largest peacetime evacuation operations.
Around 220,000 people have been evacuated in France, while nearly 100,000 have left affected areas in Spain.
The Gironde wildfire in France has destroyed about 42,000 hectares, while Spain has recorded more than 104,000 hectares burned during the current wildfire season.
Across France, more than 116,000 hectares have been affected in what has been described as the country’s worst wildfire season on record.
The European Union has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, deploying firefighting aircraft and personnel to support emergency services in both countries.
However, the effects on freight are spreading well beyond the fire zones.
France is a critical road freight link between the UK and the Iberian Peninsula, carrying a large proportion of goods travelling between Britain, Spain and Portugal.
Around 75% of UK trade with continental Europe moves by road, meaning motorway closures and diversions in France can affect supply chains thousands of miles away.
Hauliers based in Romania, Lithuania and Bulgaria could also face higher operating costs and reduced vehicle availability because of delays on routes through Western Europe.
Carefully planned delivery schedules may be disrupted, while longer journeys can increase labour and fuel costs.
Food supply chains are another area of concern.
Spain is a major supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables to the UK, including tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, citrus fruits and berries.
Extended delays could increase the risk of spoilage for temperature-sensitive goods and put further pressure on summer food supplies.
Operators are also dealing with reduced visibility caused by smoke and a greater risk of vehicle breakdowns in extreme heat.
Higher temperatures can increase the likelihood of tyre failures, while congestion and diversions place additional strain on drivers and delivery schedules.
Matthew Bellamy, managing director at SNAP, said: “Wildfires are no longer simply an environmental issue, they're becoming a significant operational risk for Europe's transport and logistics sector.”
He said disruption in one country could quickly spread across international supply chains.
“Freight doesn't stop at national borders. A motorway closure in southern France can delay supermarket deliveries in the UK, manufacturing components travelling from Eastern Europe, or exports heading towards Spain and Portugal.”
Bellamy called on operators to place greater emphasis on contingency planning as extreme weather becomes more frequent.
“As extreme weather events become more frequent, transport operators need to build greater resilience into journey planning,” he said.
“That means having access to reliable route information, contingency plans, secure places for drivers to stop safely and the flexibility to adapt when disruption occurs.”
Climate experts have warned that Europe is facing more frequent and severe wildfire seasons as temperatures rise.
For freight businesses, weather-related disruption is therefore becoming a longer-term operational issue rather than an isolated seasonal problem.
SNAP said operators should improve access to alternative routes, secure parking, fuel stops and driver facilities to reduce disruption and protect staff.
As Europe’s freight network adapts to a changing climate, resilience and proactive journey planning are becoming increasingly important to keeping goods moving.