Travel risks this autumn include wildfires and monkeypox
Though several aspects of travel have improved since this summer’s travel chaos, there are still a few potential risks travellers should be aware of while planning autumn trips
According to the US Department of Agriculture, wildfire season may be year-round in certain parts of the US, raging well into October. Climate change has allowed for increasingly perilous conditions that lead to more fires and make them more difficult to control.
The top-10 states ranked by most acres burned in 2021 were California, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Alaska, Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico. This hazard further extends into parts of Mexico and Canada, with Canada’s western provinces mirroring Oregon and Washington states. For Americans travelling by road to Alaska, this is a real potential peril.
Monkeypox cases may have spiked in August, increasing by 20 per cent during the second week of the month. The following week, the World Health Organization announced a 21-per-cent drop in cases worldwide. Those who have been exposed or who have symptoms of monkeypox are urged not to travel and should self-isolate until symptoms are gone, and the rash and scabs have all completely healed.
While the cost for flights will likely be lower this autumn, compared to the summer months, it may still be tough to get a flight. In an effort to curb the chaos from summer travel, airlines are cutting thousands of flights in the autumn and winter months. Shortages of pilots and other airline staff may also continue to be a problem in some areas.