Ankara: Wildfires have erupted across Turkey’s western and northern regions, with a major blaze in Izmir’s coastal province threatening residential areas. Fanned by strong winds, the fire has forced evacuations and pushed firefighters to their limits as they attempt to control the spread.
The fire in Izmir’s Karsiyaka district began late Thursday for reasons yet unknown. Despite efforts to contain it with planes, helicopters, and other firefighting vehicles, the fire continues to burn across four to five different locations. According to Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban, a nearby village has been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
“The intervention is becoming difficult as it is very close to residential areas. There is no loss of life until now,” Elban confirmed. “We have information that some houses burned. Since there are winds of up to 80 kilometers (49.71 miles) per hour now, we often have to stop the aerial intervention,” he added. Elban also noted that efforts to combat the fire would be intensified if the winds subside.
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Footage broadcast by local news outlets showed towering flames engulfing vast areas, encroaching on apartment buildings and roadways in Karsiyaka. Thick plumes of black smoke hovered above the city and nearby forests, creating a scene of chaos.
The wildfires are not confined to Izmir. Additional blazes were reported in the northwestern provinces of Canakkale, Bolu, and Manisa. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli announced that the fire in Canakkale, sparked by a roadside electricity pole, had been contained, while efforts in Manisa had led to partial containment. Firefighters were still battling the blaze in Bolu.
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Yumakli also issued a warning about the heightened risk of wildfires in the coming days due to high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. The governors of Canakkale and Bolu reported that several neighborhoods and villages had been evacuated as a safety measure, but confirmed there was no immediate threat to other residential areas.
In recent years, Turkey’s coastal regions have been repeatedly ravaged by wildfires, a growing problem that many scientists link to the escalating impact of climate change. As summers grow hotter and drier, wildfires have become increasingly common and destructive.
