Brits in Turkey warned as wildfires rage and told 'relocation may be necessary'

UK holidaymakers basking have been issued a stark warning as wildfires broke out, with officials suggesting they may need to evacuate. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to help tourists navigate the extreme heat and providing guidance on emergency procedures.

The raging fires sweeping through southeast Turkey have triggered serious alerts for British tourists, who could face evacuation orders. Helicopters have been dispatched over Diyarbakir and Mardi provinces in a desperate bid to extinguish the flames from above. Two hotels and several homes have already been evacuated as winds fan the flames.

In the Selcuk district of Izmir, efforts are ongoing to tackle the forest fires by both air and ground teams. After a pause overnight, firefighting resumed at dawn today (Sunday June 30), with helicopters and planes rejoining the fight.

Throughout the night, three helicopters equipped with night vision assisted in the firefighting efforts. Tragically, the fire, which ignited on Thursday and continued into Friday, has resulted in the death of hundreds of animals, reports the Mirror.

With temperatures recently soaring above 40C (104F), Turkey's landscapes have become incredibly prone to fires. Authorities are now investigating the origins of this latest devastating blaze.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has named "stubble burning" as the contributor to the flames skyrocketing. An updated emergency advice has been released by the Foreign Office which can be found here.

The advice said: "Wildfires are dangerous and unpredictable. They can start easily and spread quickly, particularly during times of extreme heat. Causing a forest fire can be a criminal offence, even if unintentional. You should extinguish cigarette ends properly, , not leave empty bottles behind, follow local rules and signs when lighting barbecues; often barbecues are only allowed in designated areas on a concrete base, and always douse barbecues before leaving."

The high risk posed by Turkey's extreme temperatures over the summer months leading to reoccurring wildfires was highlighted by the Foreign Office. The statement continued: "You could get a fine or prison sentence for lighting a fire of any kind or discarding cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland. Barbecues are prohibited in these areas."

"If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities. If you see a wildfire, call emergency services on 112."

As evidenced by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), Turkey has already been subject to 74 wildfires this year, which have decimated around 31,900 acres of land.