Majorca and Ibiza travel warning as 'red alert' issued in holiday hotspots

Majorca and Ibiza travel warning as 'red alert' issued in holiday hotspots,The Spanish islands have issued 'extreme' and 'high' alerts to those travelling to Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca, in Spain, as the risk of fires has increased due to the heatwave

Majorca and Ibiza travel warning as ‘red alert’ issued in holiday hotspots

Holidaymakers jetting off to Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca should be aware that the risk of wildfires on the Spanish islands has been raised to "extreme" and "very high". Places in Italy and Greece are already battling raging fires in certain areas.

The heatwave and high temperatures hitting the islands means that they are at risk of facing blazes of their own. Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET claims that the red alert for "extreme risk" covers the southern tip and eastern coast of Majorca near to the main resorts of Magaluf, Palmanova and Santa Ponsa.

Popular islands Ibiza and Menorca are on "high" alert for risk of fires. According to firefighters the hot weather has made majorca a "tinder box" ready to spark.

READ MORE: Majorca issues 'extreme risk' warning in heatwave but Brits may not get money back

However, the Majorca Daily Bulletin states that "the Balearics are well equipped to deal with forest fires with planes, helicopters and seaplanes and obviously the fire brigade."

Tourists enjoy Playa es Bol Nou beach in Ibiza (Image: Getty Images)

ul>

TUI, Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair updates for Rhodes and Corfu as wildfires burn on

TUI, Jet2 and easyJet updates for Rhodes and Corfu as Greece wildfires burn on
Women fined £1,200 each for taking selfies with dangerous animals

Women fined £1,200 each for taking dangerous selfies with animals
A firefighter tries to put out a wildfire in Asklipio village, on Rhodes island

A firefighter tries to put out a wildfire in Asklipio village, on Rhodes island (Image: Aristidis Vafeiadakis/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)

On Sunday, Jet2 and TUI both announced they would be cancelling all imminent flights to Rhodes due to fires on the island. All customers will be entitled to full refunds, or given the option to rebook.

The fires have continued to burn with temperatures set to reach 45C. Repatriation flights arrived in Rhodes to rescue British tourists who said they were stuck in a "living nightmare", reports the Mirror.

Brits on the island thanked locals for their brave actions in the "biggest evacuation" in Greek history, with 20,000 people forced to flee their homes and hotels. Over 2,000 British holidaymakers also returned home by plane on Monday.

Fires were also seen in Attica and Evia while the airport of Palermo, in Sicily, closed due to fires burning near the runways. Firefighters worked to put out the flames.

A forest fire rages near the town of Melloula in northwestern Tunisia (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

In Crete, the Greek authorities have also issued an "extreme fire risk" alert for the areas of Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Lasithi. While forest fires have also occurred recently in other nations like Tunisia.

You should always double check the travel warnings issued before departing for a holiday. If fires do strike the area you are living in stay tuned into local news and follow the instructions of your hotel, local authorities or travel reps.

For severe weather warnings and updates, visit the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and European Meteorological Services website.