As per early estimates, 1500 acres of agricultural land, 120 acres of agricultural glass houses destroyed due to the wildfires in Turkey so far
ANKARA — Turkey has been experiencing a string of forest fires in the Mediterranean and Southern Aegean regions, including two near the coastal resort town of Manavgat that killed at least four people and left 58 injured.
The fire broke out with the temperature approaching 40 degrees Celsius and wind speed of 50 kilometres an hour.
According to the Agriculture and Forestry Minister of Turkey, Bekir Pakdemirli, 58 forest fires have erupted in 17 provinces of Turkey since Wednesday, and 38 of them have been taken under control. Also, three planes, 38 helicopters and about 4,000 firefighters have been deployed to fight the blazes.
Wildfires are common in the Turkey‘s Mediterranean and Aegean regions during the summer months due to scorching heat and strong winds.
According to reports, previous fall fires have been blamed on the arson or the outlawed called Kurdish militants but the reason for the forest fire this year is still under extensive investigation.
This year’s forest fires have caused havoc in the country wherein more than thousand farm animals have perished, 1500 acres of agricultural land, 120 acres of agricultural glass houses were destroyed in an area called Manavgat and 80% of the houses in Antalya were incinerated.
Volkan Bozkir, the president of the United Nations General Assembly, said in a tweet, ‘I am deeply saddened by the devastating forest fires in Turkey. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. I wish urgent healing to those who were injured, and the fires that threaten lives are brought under control as soon as possible.”
This year Turkey has experienced several natural disasters from extreme weather conditions to flash floods in the Black Sea region. But the recent forest fires in the southern regions is taking a toll not only on the wildlife but also on the natural resources and the environment.
