Ibiza, Other Balearic Islands Among Nightlife Hubs on “Red Alert” for Wildfires

Authorities warn that blazes could befall some of Spain’s world-famous clubbing hotspots.

A recent heatwave sweeping across Europe has led to disastrous wildfires in Southern Europe, claiming at least nine lives in Italy and Greece. Spain is now on “red alert” for blazes, with authorities warning travelers of risks in Balearic clubbing destinations like Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca.

The Spanish government’s meteorological agency AEMET has placed Ibiza and Menorca on “high” risk for wildfires. Meanwhile, Majorca’s southeast tip is on “extreme” risk. Some parts of the island have reached temperatures of 40°C (equivalent to 104°F), leading the Palma Met Office to issue a forest fire red alert.

The UK Foreign Office has encouraged visitors to the Balearic Islands to do their due diligence when looking into the conditions of any travel destinations. Wildfires in Greece had cut countless vacations short as thousands were forced to evacuate from the island of Rhodes in July.

Ibiza has been home to one of the world’s most sought-after nightlife scenes since the 1980s. After a 1987 trip to the White Isle, Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling and Johnny Walker famously returned to the UK and organized parties like Spectrum and Shoom that planted the seeds for the nationwide acid house phenomenon. In the present day, Ibiza is home to superclubs like Amnesia Ibiza, Hï Ibiza, Blue Marlin Ibiza, and the recently opened Club Chinois.

Speaking to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, firefighters said that conditions had turned wooded areas of the island into a “tinder box.” They nonetheless expressed confidence that they would be able to contain any blazes — not only via the island’s fire brigade, but also with planes and helicopters.

According to Euronews, Greece’s 2023 wildfires have claimed an area roughly the size of London and resulted in CO2 emission equivalent to 220,000 vehicles driven in a year.