Turkey: Settlements Evacuated Due to Devastating Wildfires

Devastating wildfires continue in Turkey, leading to the evacuation of settlements with over 3,600 residents. Massive flames have engulfed forest areas near residential areas in Bursa, with smoke covering the city.

The fires are raging in the southern provinces of Mersin and Antalya, as well as in the central province of Uşak. However, the flames in the northwestern province of Bursa and the northern province of Karabük remain out of control, according to the country's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı.

A fire broke out in a forest area between the Gürsu and Kestel districts in Bursa. A section of the highway connecting Istanbul to Izmir was temporarily closed due to the fire.

Approximately 1,765 people were evacuated from the Kestel area of Bursa, while 2,000 firefighters are operating in the area with the help of six firefighting aircraft and four helicopters. In the Karabük province, 1,839 people were evacuated from 19 villages. Three planes and 16 helicopters are assisting in the firefighting operations.

Yumaklı also referred to the heatwave affecting the country, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.