Firefighters in Turkey are still battling numerous forest fires but have managed to gain control of a major fire burning on the outskirts of Smyrna.
The Smyrna (Izmir) operation was continuing, Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Sunday, after strong winds hampered the firefighting efforts and the fire had threatened residential areas in the Karsiyaka district.
Some 3000 firefighters have been battling the flames on Mount Yamanlar on the outskirts of the coastal town since Thursday evening.
According to official figures, 1600 hectares of land were destroyed by the flames in Izmir, 43 houses were damaged and more than 20 people were injured.
Meanwhile in the Urla district of Izmir province, another wildfire broke out late on Saturday evening and a holiday settlement with 440 houses was evacuated, according to provincial governor Süleyman Elban, as reported by the Anadolu news agency.
Yumakli said several wildfires are actively burning in Turkey.
The military said that 15 helicopters were involved in the fire-fighting efforts.
The Interior Ministry stated that seven people have been detained and two arrested on suspicion of being responsible for some of the fires.
Smyrna and its nearby seaside resorts are popular holiday destinations.
Turkey has been struggling with a heatwave and drought since the beginning of the summer, hastening the spread of wildfires.
July was the hottest in Turkey in 53 years, the Turkish Meteorological Directorate said.
Neighbouring Greece also recently struggled with a massive wildfire north-east of Athens amid soaring temperatures.
with DPA
