Portugal has also sent a special task force to Madeira to help fight a fire burning on the island since Wednesday.
Firefighters in Turkey were continued to battle five blazes burning for a fourth day on Sunday in several areas across the country’s west.
The countrys Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate, AFAD, says more than 131 forest fires have erupted in the past week.
The authorities blame low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures as exacerbating factors with scientists also blaming climate change for the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
Firefighters are tackling the fires 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, although there have been no reports of any casualties.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Ibrahim Yumaklı, said 69 wildfires had so far been contained but there remain five active blazes in the provinces of Izmir, Aydın, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu.
And he said the current situation doesnt warrant an international appeal for assistance but advised caution through the weekend.
“We are in a critical period and must remain vigilant until Sunday. Our teams will respond day and night to any incidents,” he said.
Meanwhile authorities detained four people in the central province of Bolu in connection to the fires, two of whom were placed under arrest and the other two released on probation.
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.
Firefighters extinguished on Friday a blaze in Canakkale province that threatened World War I memorials and graves at the Gallipoli battle site.
At the peninsula where Ottoman troops beat back an Allied landing in a yearlong campaign in 1915, the flames reached Canterbury Cemetery, where soldiers from New Zealand are interred. s of the site in northwest Turkey showed soot-blackened gravestones in a scorched garden looking out over the Aegean Sea.
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.
Turkey is no stranger to battling wildfires during the hot, dry summer months. However, the wildfires raging across western Turkey in recent weeks have been particularly severe and difficult to contain. Multiple major blazes continue burning across provinces like Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu. Thousands of firefighters are working valiantly to try to get the fires under control. But weather conditions, climate factors and questionable arson cases mean Turkey’s wildfire emergency is far from over.
In this article, we’ll look at the ongoing wildfire situation in Turkey, what’s fueling the intense blazes, and the outlook for containment efforts.
Over 130 Fires Ignited in a Week
According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate, over 130 wildfires have erupted across the country over the past week alone. The majority have been contained and extinguished. However, at least 8 major wildfires continue raging across western coastal provinces of Turkey.
The wildfires have necessitated the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists from affected areas. Entire neighborhoods and hotels have had to be cleared for safety. While no deaths have been reported yet, the wildfires are severely impacting western Turkish communities.
Battling Blazes by Land and Air
Thousands of Turkish firefighters are working day and night to try to contain the wildfires The massive effort involves
- Hundreds of fire trucks and vehicles
- Thousands of firefighters on the ground
- Over 2 dozen aircraft dumping water and fire retardant
The Turkish government has also accepted offers of international aerial support Firefighting planes from countries like Spain, Croatia and Ukraine are now joining the battle
This full scale mobilization underscores how out-of-control the Turkish wildfires are. Fire crews are struggling to suppress walls of fire being driven by high winds across tinder dry landscape.
Hot, Dry, Windy Conditions Fueling Fires
A summer heatwave across the Mediterranean region has essentially provided the perfect conditions for explosive wildfire growth over the past week.
- Hot temperatures have left vegetation extremely dry and flammable.
- Low humidity further dries out brush and trees.
- High winds drive the fast-spreading blazes.
- Drought conditions exacerbate the already parched landscape.
With temperatures spiking over 104°F (40°C) and winds gusting up to 50 mph, containing the infernos has been extremely challenging for Turkish firefighters.
Unfortunately, the weather forecast calls for more hot, dry, windy conditions over the next week. This offers little reprieve for fire containment efforts.
Arson Suspected in Some Blazes
While natural factors are creating a perfect wildfire setup, Turkish authorities believe arson may also be to blame for some of the fires.
In the Bolu province, four individuals were detained on suspicion of arson. Two remain under arrest as investigations continue.
Officials haven’t provided further details or motives. However, arson during fire season has been an ongoing issue over the years in Turkey. More arson-related arrests may follow.
Fire Season Far From Over
With temperatures expected to remain high and humidity low over the coming week, Turkey likely faces an extended wildfire season ahead.
The General Directorate of Forestry warned the public to avoid lighting any outdoor fires for the next 10 days due to the risky conditions. Any small spark could easily ignite another raging wildfire under the current environment.
Fire crews will continue working around the clock to contain existing fires and scramble to suppress new ones. International air support will provide much needed assistance covering Turkey’s vast wildfire-prone landscape.
While some containment has been achieved, officials expect an uphill battle as long as the hot, dry weather persists. Turkey will need to remain vigilant and continue marshalling massive resources to prevent further loss.
The heartbreaking wildfire scenes playing out across Turkey’s beautiful western provinces right now may, unfortunately, become a recurring episode year after year. The fire season is clearly becoming longer and more severe as the climate changes.
Portugal fighting blaze on Madeira island
Lisbon is sending a special force of 80 firefighters to the Autonomous Region of Madeira to fight a fire that has been raging for three consecutive days.
“The Regional Government announces that all the necessary logistics are currently underway to allow 80 members of the Special Firefighters‘ Force to arrive in Madeira in the next few hours,” read a note sent to the press and quoted by Lusa news agency.
The fire broke out on Wednesday morning in Serra de Água, in the municipality of Ribeira Brava, and spread to neighbouring parishes, leading to the evacuation of residents for safety reasons.
According to Madeiras Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, “around 50 families have received clinical, social and psychological support” after being evacuated from their homes due to the approaching flames.
According to Renascença radio, 54 operatives are on the ground, supported by 18 vehicles and the helicopter of the Regional Civil Protection Service of Madeira, as well as members of the PSP and the Institute of Forestry and Nature Conservation.