Spain's Traffic Authority Urges Drivers to Prioritize Official Maps Over Google During Wildfire Season

The Directorate‑General for Traffic (DGT) in Spain has added a dedicated wildfire layer to its digital maps, showing blocked roads, mandatory detours and real‑time traffic restrictions. The agency advises motorists, logistics operators and holiday travellers to rely on official portals such as incendiosespaña.es rather than solely on consumer navigation apps.

Google Maps and other commercial mapping services now display automated crisis alerts that flag active wildfires, floods and storms using satellite‑derived thermal data. While the alerts provide a general overview, the platforms acknowledge that satellite approximations can differ from ground‑level conditions by several kilometres. Consequently, drivers are urged to cross‑reference app warnings with DGT’s official information to avoid being stranded in rapidly evolving danger zones.