Fires that have been raging around Turkey’s third most populous city, Izmir, for the past four days are now largely under control, authorities reported on Sunday.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli announced that while efforts to extinguish remaining hotspots continue, the main blaze is now under control. “The fire has been contained in a valley, and there is no longer any risk to the areas overlooking the city,” Yumakli told reporters. “Thankfully, the fire in the Yamanlar region of Izmir is now under control.”
New fires that erupted on Saturday in Izmir province, including one threatening the seaside resort of Cesme, have also been contained without causing injuries. The swift evacuation of residents contributed to the successful control of these fires, the minister noted.
However, fires continue to burn in steep valleys about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Izmir, though they are now progressing more slowly, Yumakli added.
The fires have damaged at least 43 buildings in Izmir, and 26 people have been hospitalized with fire-related injuries, according to Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum. While wild animals, cats, and dogs have perished in the blaze, there have been no reported human fatalities.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, including heatwaves and wildfires, to climate change.
The Izmir fire, which began on Thursday and rapidly spread to residential areas due to strong winds, is the largest wildfire Turkey has experienced this summer. Firefighters, along with the army and police, were deployed to tackle the blaze.
In addition to the Izmir fire, five other forest fires are still burning in various regions across Turkey, including Bolu in the northwest and Aydin in the west.
Earlier this summer, a fire in Mardin, southeastern Turkey, tragically claimed 15 lives.
