Devastating fires in Turkey. Over 250 people evacuated from a province appreciated by tourists
A new fire broke out on Saturday in the Çanakkale tourist province, in northwestern Turkey. Over 250 people were evacuated on Saturday night to Sunday.
Over 250 people evacuated after a new fire in Turkey: X
The fire spread rapidly because of the strong winds that blew to the hills near the city of Gelibolu, located near the Dardanelles Strait. “As a precautionary measure, 251 inhabitants of five villages were relocated to safe areas”wrote on X Governor in Çanakkale, Omer Toraman, quoted by Agerpres.
Images and videos broadcast by television showed hills illuminated by intense flames and huge smoke clouds rising in the night. The extinguishing operations involved 900 people, supported by twelve planes and 18 helicopters, said the forest management on X.
Impact on tourism and historical sites
The province of Çanakkale, very visited for the ancient ruins of Troy and for the Gallipoli battlefield, where thousands of soldiers lost their lives in World War I, was affected last year by a “Extremely severe drought“, The governor added.
Access to the historical sites near the city of Eceat was closed “Because of the ongoing forest fire“, The management of a local memorial dedicated to the First World War said.
The context of fires in the northwest of Turkey
The northwest of Turkey has been affected in the last days of violent winds, which have only mitigated Sunday. On August 11, another violent fire forced the evacuation of over 2,000 people and caused considerable damage to homes, intoxicating dozens of inhabitants.
Turkey has registered July the hottest period of the last 55 years and has been confronted in recent weeks with more large fires. Fourteen people lost their lives in the fight with the flames in the west of the country.
Experts warn that climatic changes increase the frequency and intensity of forest fires and other natural disasters, emphasizing the need for urgent measures to prevent and limit them.
