Turkey battles wildfires amid strong winds, heatwave
Wildfires across Turkey over the past week have led to at least 14 deaths.
Nineteen villages and more than 3 500 people have been evacuated from their homes.
Turkey is experiencing a heatwave that peaked with temperatures above 40°C across much of the country last week and even reached a record high of 50.5°C on Friday in the far southeast, in Silopi, near the Iraqi and Syrian borders.
Firefighters are currently battling blazes around the city of Bursa in the northwest, the Karabuk region in the north and the Kahramanmaras region in the south.
"Five fires have been brought under control in four provinces," said Agriculture and Forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli.
But he said the efforts were hampered by strong winds that are fanning the flames.
"Given the size and intensity of the fires, the state's ability to respond quickly to such disasters is sometimes limited," he said.
"If there's wind, there are no planes and it takes hours, even days, for you to take control," he said.
In recent days, 19 villages had to be evacuated in the Safranbolu region in the north, and more than 3 500 people around Bursa.
A firefighter battling the flames died of a heart attack on Saturday evening.
Three more people died Sunday in an accident involving a water tanker truck that was used to battle a blaze, the Bursa governorate announced.
On Wednesday, a wildfire killed at least 10 forest workers and rescuers who were battling a blaze near Eskisehir in western Turkey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
28 minutes ago
- CNN
Dozens killed as heavy rains batter northern China
Days of heavy rain have killed at least 30 people in the mountainous northern outskirts of Beijing, state media reported Tuesday. Intense rainstorms have battered northern China in recent days, triggering flooding and landslides.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Heat warnings in place as sweltering week predicted for much of B.C.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for much of the B.C. Interior, with forecasts calling for a ridge of high pressure that will bring elevated temperatures during the middle of the week. Warnings for the Okanagan Valley, Fraser Canyon, South Thompson, Boundary and West Kootenay say that maximum temperatures are expected to hit between 35 C and 37 C between Tuesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, the North Thompson, Cariboo, Prince George and Stuart-Nechako areas are expected to see temperatures between 29 C and 34 C, with overnight lows of around 14 C. Matt Loney, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said that the heat will peak on Wednesday and Thursday for most areas. "We have a ridge of high pressure building in the upper atmosphere, and with a southerly flow that's going to feed in some warmer air from the south, from the United States," he told CBC News. "And so temperatures are going to build as we head into the midweek portion." Loney said that elevated temperatures would also be seen in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, but those areas will see temperatures 3 to 5 C above seasonal. In much of the Interior, however, the temperatures are forecast to be 5 to 8 C above historical norms. Loney advised anyone in areas under a heat warning to limit outdoor activities, keep hydrated and check on neighbours who may not be equipped to deal with the heat. "We can kind of see the end of this with the upper ridge that's going to break down Thursday night into Friday," the meteorologist said. "And so we'll see an influx of moisture, and potential for some thunderstorms, actually coming in with the end of this." Loney said that the long-range forecasts for the upcoming B.C. Day-long weekend were unclear, but it's likely to be cloudier as an upper trough will be parked over the province. The B.C. Wildfire Service said in a provincial situation report that above seasonal temperatures will be seen throughout B.C. this week, with the hottest areas set to be in the southern third of the province. "In addition, there is a significant chance of dry lightning that could impact nearly all regions of the province throughout the week," the service says. "This combination of rising temperatures, fuel drying and dry lightning increases the probability of new wildfires starting." However, the report says winds are expected to remain light throughout the province. Campfires remain banned in much of the South Coast, and larger Category 2 and Category 3 fires — which include larger stubble fires and large burn piles — are prohibited throughout B.C.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
High temperatures continue Tuesday in Philadelphia area, air quality alerts in effect
Our fifth heat wave of the summer is underway in the Philadelphia area, and it's only going to get hotter. On Tuesday, the heat turns up even more with high temperatures across the region likely in the mid-upper 90s. The forecast Tuesday and Wednesday in Philadelphia is for a high of 98 degrees, which would tie the record for both days. But what will it feel like? Along with the increasing temperatures, the humidity will also be on the rise, which will make it feel like anywhere between 100-105 degrees. When temperatures climb this high, it can be dangerous for anyone without adequate ways to stay cool and hydrated. As a result, the NEXT Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert through Wednesday evening. A few storms may fire up late Wednesday but there is a much greater chance of storms by Thursday. Those showers and storms will develop ahead of an approaching cold front that will put an end to this heat wave and usher in much cooler air by Friday. Friday is the start of August, and the start of an extended cooler stretch of air bringing relief from the heat through the first week of August. Highs Friday and into the weekend will be in the upper 70s to low 80s. The high temperatures combined with "low level smoke" led the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to issue a Code Orange air quality alert and "action day" for Tuesday in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties. The alert means groups such as children, those with respiratory problems and older people are vulnerable to pollution in the air and should limit time outside. The state is also asking residents to voluntarily help with pollution by driving less, refueling cars after dark and conserving electricity. A Code Orange alert is in effect Tuesday in Delaware as well. An air quality alert is also in place until 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for Gloucester and Camden counties and northwestern Burlington County. Tuesday: NEXT Weather Alert for heat. High 98, Low 75. Wednesday: NEXT Weather Alert for heat. High 98, Low 77. Thursday: Scattered storms. High 83, Low 76. Friday: Shower early. High 76, Low 70. Saturday: Beautiful. High 81, Low 64. Sunday: Sunny skies. High 83, Low 62. Monday: Mostly sunny. High 81, Low 63. NEXT Weather Radars Hourly Forecast
