Firefighters battling to put out forest fires in Turkey

By Halil Sahin and Tezcan Ekizler

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Firefighters are battling to contain forest fires that erupted in southwestern and western Turkey on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters in western Izmir province, Agriculture and Forest Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said the fires broke out in four different regions -- including two in Milas district of the southwestern Mugla province and others in the Aegean province of Izmir.

A total of 23 helicopters, 250 water tankers, and 35 bulldozers were battling the flames, which spread due to heavy winds, Pakdemirli added.

The fire in Karabaglar district of Izmir has so far burned more than 100 hectares of forestland.

“Despite the adverse weather conditions, hopefully, the [flames] will be brought under control soon," the minister said.

Mugla Regional Forest Deputy Director Enver Demirci told Anadolu Agency: "We are working hard to control the fires in Milas and Bodrum districts of Mugla. The wind is blowing at a speed of 50-60 kilometers [31-37 miles].”

No casualties have been reported yet.