Wildfires are raging in Turkey

Wildfires have started in Turkey.

The first fires were recorded in Izmir on the Aegean coast. The fire broke out in several districts of the province, the Gaziemir district, which is located next to the airport, was particularly badly affected. About 50 residential buildings burned down in the village of Dogankent. In some localities, local residents were evacuated.

On Sunday, June 29, the airport in Izmir was temporarily closed due to forest fires, and flights were diverted to other cities. The airport was partially reopened in the evening, but flight delays and cancellations persisted.

By the morning of today, June 30, more than 600 firefighters, 14 helicopters and four airplanes, two of them Russian BE—200 amphibious aircraft, are extinguishing wildfires. At the same time, strong winds continue to complicate the work of rescuers.

The Turkish tourism industry assures that there is no danger for tourists. According to Izmir Provincial Governor Suleiman Elban, forest fires in Turkish resorts are a "sad but annual story".

A few days ago, Izmir set a new temperature record for June: +41.6°C.