Ankara, 16 August 2024 (TDI): Firefighters are trying to contain wildfires raging in three provinces of northwestern Turkiye, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said late on Thursday, adding that the outlook was positive.
Fourteen planes, thirty one helicopters and 265 land vehicles were involved in the firefighting efforts, along with about 1,400 forestry personnel, Yumakli said.
The wildfires erupted in the Eceabat district of Canakkale province, Manisa province’s Gordes district, and the Goynuk district of Bolu province.
It was not yet clear what caused the blaze.
“In all three ongoing wildfires, there is a process that is heading for the better. God willing, I hope to give you good news and share with you that all three of our fires are extinguished,” Ibrahim Yumakli said.
Video from the three wildfires showed flames engulfing swathes of lands with black smoke billowing above forests and cities. No residential areas were at risk from the fires, local officials said.
Canakkale Governor Omer Toraman said certain neighborhoods in 3 villages had been evacuated as a precaution, but that there was no threat to residential areas.
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Bolu Governor Erkan Kilic was cited by state media as saying that about one hundred hectares of land had been damaged in the fire so far, and that three villages had been evacuated as a precaution.
The wildfire in Manisa, which erupted on Wednesday, is now in its third day.
