Forest fires that started burning a week ago have now spread into three Turkish provinces. The provinces effected by these fires are Antalya, Manisa and Kahramanmarash.
Turkey’s forest fires were first reported on 16th of July. A total of 19 wildfires erupted in Hatay, Mersin, and Çanakkale provinces due to the heatwave affecting the country and several sabotage incidences.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that seven suspects were identified and two of them were arrested over the investigations regarding the forest fires that broke out across the country between July 10-17.
The fire that occurred in Hatay began when two individuals’ fire, lit to clear the reed beds in their field, spread to the forest. Minister Yumaklı said the flames have so far affected about 230 hectares of land. The fire spread to residential areas and many houses and vehicles were damaged. Hatay was one of the provinces most affected by the Feb. 6. Earthquakes.
After the fire in the historic Gökçeada island in Çanakkale province, another fire broke out in the center of the province on the same day. At least 500 hectares of land were affected by the fire.
Russia has dispatched two Be-200 amphibious firefighting aircraft to Turkey to assist in combating the severe forest fires plaguing the country. The move comes in response to a request from the Turkish side and the directive of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Be-200 is a purpose-built aircraft designed for firefighting operations, capable of scooping water directly from bodies of water to douse wildfires. It’s one of the few aircraft that combine firefighting, search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo, and passenger transportation capabilities in a single platform.
As Turkey battles these unprecedented fires, the arrival of the Russian Be-200 aircraft offers hope and much-needed support in this challenging time. The collaboration between Russia and Turkey in this crisis not only strengthens diplomatic ties but also serves as an example of international unity in the face of environmental disasters.
Fires have also torn through countries including Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey as blazes grip Southern Europe.
Now it is feared they will take hold in other areas across the continent as the intense hot, dry weather has created “flammable landscapes”.
