UPDATE - 91 of 101 forest fires under control in Turkey: Minister

UPDATES WITH FRESH NUMBERS, ADDS ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS FROM TURKEY’S AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY MINISTER, CHANGES HEADLINE

By Ali Murat Alhas and Zeynep Canli

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's agriculture and forestry minister on Saturday said his country has contained most (91 of 101) of the forest fires that started on Wednesday.

In a statement, Bekir Pakdemirli said efforts are underway to take the remaining blazes under control. He added that firefighters and volunteers are doing everything they can to stem their spread.

According to the figures he shared, forest fires are still continuing in Antalya, Mersin and Mugla provinces.

Emphasizing that the whole world is fighting wildfires, Pakdemirli said their risk has increased due to climatic changes induced by global warming.

"Each country uses firefighting tools and techniques suitable to its geography in the fight against forest fires," he said. We increased the number of helicopters, and aircraft are also being utilized, the minister added.

Besides material damage, at least six people have lost their lives in the fires.

*Writing by Merve Berker