Forest Fires In Turkey Expand, Hundreds Of People In Canakale Evacuated

PHOTO OF UNSPLASH/Marcus Kauffman ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Firefighters in Turkey are still struggling to contain forest fires in the center of the province of Canakale, Turkey, which were triggered by strong winds. Hundreds of residents were evacuated as a precaution.

(Armada) planes, helicopters, vehicles, and about 700 personnel are fighting against the blaze," said city governor Omer Toraman in a post on X.

Authorities also evacuated prevention in risky areas including university campuses, military areas, and residential areas. Residents are asked to avoid unnecessary travel to keep roads sterile from emergency vehicle traffic.

City airports, the Dardanelles Strait, and parts of the highway were closed due to forest fires, and local television footage showed thick smoke billowing over the hills.

Police vehicles spraying water extinguishing fires that spread to several residential buildings in the area according to footage from the Anadolu news agency.

Temperatures in the region hit 33 degrees Celsius with wind speeds reaching 66 kilometers per hour, according to Turkish meteorological services.

About 50 people were affected by smoke and treated at the nearest medical facility.