Thousands Evacuated as Wildfires Sweep Through Western Turkey

Wildfires have ravaged large areas of western Turkey, leading to the evacuation of nearly 4,000 residents, according to the country's disaster management agency.

On Saturday, efforts to combat the fires in the resort city of Izmir on Turkey's Aegean coast were hindered by strong winds that had grounded helicopters and water bombers, reported broadcaster NTV.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 900 residents were evacuated from five districts in Izmir overnight. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that evacuations were carried out in several cities: 1,430 people in Izmir, 1,475 in Manisa, 516 in Bolu, and 550 in Aydin, following the outbreak of 131 wildfires across agricultural and forested areas over the past week.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli stated that 17 residential homes were destroyed overnight, with 105 houses and 44 workplaces evacuated in Izmir's Yamanlar neighborhood. "Currently, two planes and 11 helicopters are actively involved in firefighting efforts," Yumakli said, according to AFP.

The wildfires have affected approximately 1,600 hectares (3,950 acres), Yumakli added. Six individuals have been detained in connection with suspected sabotage, including two in Izmir and four in Bolu.

Wildfires are a recurring issue in Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean regions during the hot summer months. Similarly, in Greece, heatwaves have led to severe wildfires this year, including one near Athens that resulted in at least one fatality.

Experts attribute the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events, including wildfires and floods, to climate change.