Forest fires erupt in southwestern Turkey

By Durmus Genc

MUGLA, Turkey (AA) - Firefighters are battling to contain forest fires that erupted on Sunday in Turkey’s southwestern Mugla province.

For reasons unknown, fires broke out in forestland close to hotels and settlements in Icmeler in the Marmaris district of the coastal province.

Many forest workers and firefighters as well as six helicopters, sprinklers, bulldozers, and water tankers are battling flames that the wind helped quickly spread over the region.

There have been no reports of casualties from the fires.

Orhan Tavli, the province’s governor, told Anadolu Agency that the wind in the region is complicating firefighting efforts.

"The teams are working according in line with how the wind changes direction,” he said, adding that many reinforcements from surrounding areas came to aid efforts.