Firefighters in Turkiye battling wildfires for second day

Firefighters in Turkiye battling wildfires for second day
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Firefighters in Turkey continue to combat wildfires for a second consecutive day in the western province of Izmir, as strong winds intensify the blazes, Arab News reported. The fires, burning in the Kuyucak and Doganbey areas, were fueled overnight by winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kph (25-30 mph). As a precaution, authorities evacuated four villages and two neighborhoods, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli stated.

Over a thousand personnel, supported by helicopters, fire-fighting aircraft, and various vehicles, are actively working to control the flames, Yumakli told reporters in Izmir. Video footage from the scene showed teams using tractors equipped with water trailers alongside helicopters dropping water, as smoke rose over hills scarred by burnt trees.

Turkey’s coastal regions have faced increasing wildfire incidents in recent years, attributed to hotter and drier summers—conditions scientists link to climate change.