Firefighters Struggle to Contain Forest Fire in Northwestern Turkey

Firefighters are struggling today, Wednesday, to control a forest fire in the Çanakkale province of northwestern Turkey, which continues for a second day due to high temperatures and strong winds. Helicopters and ground vehicles operated throughout the night. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that "authorities have evacuated more than 1,200 people from nine villages to safe areas, and 48 individuals require medical treatment." Authorities also transported patients, including the elderly, from some medical centers as a precautionary measure. Footage captured by media outlets shows smoke rising from hills visible from residential areas. The fire has destroyed some abandoned rural homes. According to the maritime shipping agency Tribeca, more than 100 cargo ships are waiting to cross the strait that authorities have closed until further notice to allow aircraft to scoop water to extinguish the fire. The Tribeca agency reported that "authorities have suspended navigation in the Dardanelles Strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea, to enable airplanes to draw water to fight the flames."