Wildfires threaten coastal areas of South West Turkey
by Noonsite 6 Aug 2021 08:28 PDT
A helicopter is deployed against a fire near Marmaris in south-western Turkey © bbc.com
BBC World News reports that Turkish Coastguard vessels have been assisted by private boats and yachts to evacuate holidaymakers from beaches as fires threatened hotels and private homes along Turkey's Meditterranean and Aegean coasts.
Turkey's Daily Sabah news website reports that while 122 out of 129 forest fires in 35 regions were under control, fires continue to burn out of control near Manavgat and Marmaris.
Gwen Bylund who lives in Marmaris and runs the Marmaris Bay Cruisers Blog emailed Noonsite to give a first hand report, saying that the area was a "firestorm".
"There have been more than 50 fires in the mountains and foothills, with some deaths and homes devoured by flames," Gwen told Noonsite. "My area of Marmaris, almost central city, is so far safe, but the suburbs of Icmeler where tourists and hotels, restaurants and bars are located have experienced evacuation since fires have literally spread to the beaches.
"The fires have even spread to Fethiye, mere miles down the coast from Marmaris. Firemen and equipment including helicopters,planes, and assistance from Istanbul and Azerbaijan fire fighters are all here in force. To add to the difficulty of extinguishing the fires, it's been windy and our temperatures are in the 40s to 50s. Centers for the tourist and local population have been set up for housing, food and more. This is a disaster for the area."
On the Med Sailing Facebook page, cruisers in the Göcek Bay area are reporting that it is currently free of fires, but temperatures are 44 degreesC+.
Fort those cruisers planning on visiting Turkey, Gwen gives a rundown of where has been affected. "The fires here are extensive. All of the Marmaris suburbs - Icmeler, Armutalan, Siteler, Bayer, Hisaronu, Dermiyani, Kumlu buku and other bays, Selimiye, Fethiye, Isparta, Antalya, Manavgut, and others are totally deforested or still ablaze. The land is burned and brown.
"The yachts in Marmaris Netsel and Yat Marina plus in Fethiye are safe so far. Some boats in Netsel actually left berths to help evacuate people whose homes are ashore."
Wildfires are also burning in Italy and Greece, sparked by a heat wave across southern Europe which is being fed by hot air from Africa.
This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.