As firefighters battled wildfires in Turkey, people were being evacuated in large numbers. With wildfires continuing to blaze for the second day in the Western Province of Izmir, the strong winds only made the situation worse. So, over 50,000 people were, as a result, evacuated from five regions. Here’s all you need to know about wildfires in Turkey!
Wildfires Ravage Turkey
As the wildfire continues to rage in Turkey, more than 50,000 residents have been evacuated. In a report by Al Jazeera, these were from 41 settlements, which were situated around the Western Province of Izmir. As it happens, helicopters were seen extinguishing fires, and aircraft & other vehicles were also seen trying to bring this fire under control. As it happens, operations at the Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport had been suspended due to the fire.
Fire Broke Out On Sunday
The first fire, which broke out on Sunday, continued to rage for the second day, even on Monday. This broke out between the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes, which then quickly spread due to the strong winds. As a result, people were forced to cut down trees to create breaks in order to protect their homes. According to the available media footage, hills were seen engulfed in thick plumes of smoke. In fact, scorched trees were also visible as the helicopters continued to dump water from the sky.
The PM has therefore issued an urgent warning for the citizens to exercise utmost care. They must especially be careful in protecting green spaces after the wildfire. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that the coastal regions in Turkey have been ravaged by wildfire in recent years. This year alone, about 19,000 hectares of land have been affected by wildfires!
Also Read: What Is The AED650 M Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary Development Project by Dubai Municipality?
Flights Affected By The Situation
As mentioned previously, not just the airport, but flights were also affected. Incoming flights, as a result, had been diverted to an alternate airport when the closure was put in place in Izmir. Although the flight operations are gradually returning to normal, delays have affected the routine operations at the airport. In fact, over 55 flights have been affected that span multiple airlines. These include Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, to name some.
The news comes at a time when summers have become hotter and drier, leading to such wildfire instances.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/toa55
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.