Turkey is battling a serious fire disaster, while the country is in the grip of a Mediterranean heat wave. According to Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, more than 3,600 people have been evacuated from villages in the provinces of Bursa and Karabük - areas where the fire is still not under control, reported "Reuters", quoted by NOVA.
A large forest fire broke out on Saturday in a wooded area between the districts of "Gürsu" and "Kestel" in the industrial province of Bursa. The fire forced the temporary closure of part of the highway connecting Istanbul with Izmir - a key road corridor in the country.
Images from the area show huge flames and thick smoke engulfing wooded areas near residential areas. The minister said 1,765 people had been evacuated in the Kestel district alone. More than 2,000 firefighters, supported by six aircraft and four helicopters, are battling the blaze.
In the northern province of Karabük, the fire has been raging for five days, forcing the evacuation of 1,839 people from 19 villages. The conditions are extremely difficult, but authorities are using three aircraft and 16 helicopters to fight the growing blaze.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, the fires in the southern provinces of Mersin and Antalya, as well as in the central province of Uşak, have been largely contained, but the danger has not passed completely.
„We are living in risky times. "This does not seem likely to end in two or three days," warned Minister Yumakli.
The authorities are urging citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities and avoid traveling to affected areas. The fires and high temperatures are expected to continue in the coming days.
Firefighting efforts on multiple fronts in Greece have led to improved conditions, although the battle continues due to the resurgence of fires and scattered hotspots that remain active, the Greek newspaper "Kathimerini" reported, quoted by BTA.
Air operations resumed today, while ground crews overnight took advantage of calmer winds to bring the flames under control in key areas.
Authorities report steady progress but warn that several fronts remain challenging.
„We are coping "We are trying to minimize any risk," said Giorgos Psatas, mayor of Dirfis-Messapia on the island of Euboea, noting that while conditions in the central region of the island have improved, the fire remains extensive and will take time to be fully contained. Efforts are focused on containing hotspots near Efrati and the western front of the fire.
In Messinia, southwestern Peloponnese, a fire that started on Saturday in the forested area of Politeia is now under control. Deputy regional governor Efstathios Anastasopoulos confirmed that no nearby villages are currently at risk. Damage was reported in the villages of Politeia and Krioneri, including homes, livestock farms, warehouses, olive groves and forested land.
Scattered fire fronts continue to burn on the island of Kythira, and limited access to the area is hampering firefighting efforts. Reinforcements have been deployed, with 67 firefighters, specialist teams, vehicles, volunteers and air support working to contain the blaze.
Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vatrakoiannis said the overall picture was more positive, with firefighters tackling the remaining hotspots in the affected areas, including the Temenia area of Chania, Crete, where two helicopters are operating.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement today that the state was engaged in a large-scale effort to respond to dozens of forest fires across the country. Although the overall situation has improved, firefighting operations continue to use all available resources, he said, assuring that the state will support all citizens affected by the fires.
The Italian Civil Protection is reportedly sending two Canadair aircraft to Greece to assist in fighting the fires.