Massive Forest Fires threaten Southern Turkey

Zarwash Gulrez

Forest fires erupted in four different spots in the Manavgat district of Turkey’s southern province of Antalya on Wednesday. Strong winds fanned the flames, forcing authorities to evacuate a number of houses in the Evrenseki, Kalemler, and Yeniköy neighborhoods. Manavgat Mayor Şükrü Sözen said the fire spread through an area of 15 kilometers (3700 acres). Crews coordinated evacuation efforts while some locals drove out of the path of the fire on their own.

 

Forest Fire in Turkey:

Moreover, Turkey, which seeks to increase the number of its forests, faces a heightened threat of fires, especially in the summer. Furthermore, The causes of fires vary, and arson is blamed on some but more often than not, they stem from haphazard disposal of flammable material in the forests. Additionally,  In recent years, it has modernized its crews responding to fires and has improved training for firefighters. Last year, fires across the country had damaged 20,971 hectares (51,828 acres) of forests. Earlier this month, two forest fires that continued for days gutted forests in Hatay and Mersin, two provinces located in the Mediterranean region like Antalya.