ISTANBUL — Wildfires raged across western Turkey for a third straight day Saturday, exacerbated by high winds and warm temperatures, authorities said.
More than 130 fires have erupted across the country in the past week, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate. Most have been brought under control, but eight major fires continued in the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu.
Thousands of firefighters were tackling the blazes on land and from the air, with dozens of aircraft and hundreds of vehicles aiding in the emergency response.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas, but there have been no reported casualties, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, who spoke to reporters Saturday as he toured the affected provinces.
Yumakli cited low humidity, high winds and high temperatures as exacerbating factors. The General Directorate of Forestry warned people not to light fires outside for the next 10 days because of the weather conditions across western Turkey, warning of a 70% greater risk of wildfires.
Meanwhile, authorities detained four people in Bolu in connection with the fires, two of whom were arrested and two released.
In June, a fire spread through settlements in southeast Turkey, killing 11 people and leaving dozens of others requiring medical treatment.
Wildfires continue to rage in western Turkey for the third consecutive day, fueled by windy and dry conditions that have made it difficult for firefighters to contain the blazes. The fires have already destroyed thousands of hectares of forest and farmland, and have forced the evacuation of several villages in the region.
The wildfires first broke out on Monday in the popular tourist destination of Bodrum, a coastal town in southwestern Turkey. The flames quickly spread to other areas, including Marmaris and Antalya, as strong winds fanned the fires and dry conditions made it easy for them to spread.
Firefighters have been working around the clock to try and contain the blazes, but their efforts have been hampered by the challenging weather conditions. Helicopters and planes have been deployed to drop water on the fires from above, while firefighters on the ground have been using hoses and shovels to try and create firebreaks.
The Turkish government has also called for assistance from other countries in battling the wildfires, with Greece, Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan sending firefighting planes to help combat the blazes. The European Union has also offered its support, with Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič stating that the EU stands ready to provide further assistance if needed.
The ongoing wildfires in western Turkey serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that climate change is having on our planet. As global temperatures continue to rise, extreme weather events such as wildfires are becoming more frequent and more intense. It is crucial that we take urgent action to reduce our carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change before it is too late.
In the meantime, our thoughts are with the people of western Turkey who have been affected by these devastating wildfires. We hope that firefighters are able to bring the blazes under control soon and that those who have been evacuated are able to return to their homes safely.
