Wildfires rage in Turkey’s west for third straight day

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Wildfires rage in Turkey’s west for third straight day

Wildfires raged across western Turkey for a third straight day Saturday, exacerbated by high winds and warm temperatures, authorities said.

More than 130 fires have erupted across the country in the past week, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate.

Most have been brought under control, but eight major fires continued in the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu.

Thousands of firefighters were tackling the blazes on land and from the air, with dozens of aircraft and hundreds of vehicles aiding in the emergency response.

Earlier in the week, Turkish firefighters brought under control a wildfire on the Gallipoli Peninsula that raised fears the blaze could reach *********** war graves at Anzac Cove.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas, but there have been no reported casualties, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, who spoke to reporters Saturday as he toured the affected provinces.

Authorities said the fires have injured 21 people.

Yumakli cited low humidity, high winds and high temperatures as exacerbating factors.

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 per cent greater risk of wildfires.

Meanwhile, authorities detained four people in Bolu in connection with the fires, two of whom were arrested and two released.

In June, a ***** spread through settlements in southeast Turkey, ******** 11 people and leaving dozens of others requiring medical treatment.

with DPA

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