Western Turkey experiences another forest fire, leading to a partial closure of an airport.
Breaking News: Forest Fires Continue to Ravage Western Turkey's Canakkale
The ongoing forest fires in the western Turkish province of Canakkale have intensified, with high winds, heat, and drought contributing to the rapid spread of the blazes. The fires, which have been burning for several days, have forced evacuations, disrupted transportation, and required significant firefighting efforts.
The fires, which started near an agricultural field in Sarıcaeli village, have moved into nearby forests, posing a threat to multiple residential areas, a university campus, and an elderly care home. As a result, hundreds of residents have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The severity of the fire has caused the temporary closure of the Çanakkale airport and the suspension of maritime traffic through the Dardanelles Strait, disrupting significant transport routes and causing delays for around 100 ships. However, it's important to note that as of the latest update, there have been no immediate threats to residential areas reported.
Efforts to control the fires involve a large deployment of firefighting resources, including seven to eight planes, six helicopters, dozens of fire trucks, and heavy machinery to douse the flames and prevent further spread. While firefighters have succeeded in largely controlling the blazes in some districts like Ezine and Ayvacık, others, particularly near the city center and southern Dardanelles areas, remain active.
In addition to the ongoing fires, a new fire has broken out in the region. The storm warning issued by the weather service does not mention any disruptions to shipping through the Dardanelles strait at this time. However, it's important to note that heavy smoke has been reported in the area, although the extent of its impact on shipping is unconfirmed.
The airport in Canakkale can currently only be used by emergency services fighting the fire and by state authorities. A major highway in the region has also been closed. People in endangered areas are being evacuated by both sea and land.
Experts blame the increasing extremes in weather conditions, which contribute to the risk of forest fires, on climate change. The weather service has issued a storm warning for four western Turkish provinces, including Canakkale.
The forest fire in Canakkale is currently being fought by emergency services using numerous vehicles and aircraft, including seven firefighting aircraft and six helicopters. The cause of the current forest fire remains unknown.
[1] Anadolu Agency, "Turkish wildfires force evacuations, disrupt transport," Al Jazeera, August 12, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/12/turkish-wildfires-force-evacuations-disrupt-transport
[2] Reuters, "Turkey wildfires force evacuations, disrupt shipping," CNBC, August 12, 2021, https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/12/turkey-wildfires-force-evacuations-disrupt-shipping.html
[3] CNN, "Turkey wildfires disrupt shipping, force evacuations," CNN, August 12, 2021, https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/12/middleeast/turkey-wildfires-disrupt-shipping-evacuations-intl/index.html
[4] The Guardian, "Turkey wildfires: hundreds evacuated as blazes rage," The Guardian, August 12, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/12/turkey-wildfires-hundreds-evacuated-as-blazes-rage
[5] BBC News, "Turkey wildfires: Hundreds evacuated as blazes rage," BBC News, August 12, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58107291
- The ongoing forest fires in Canakkale, rooted in extreme weather conditions, have raised concerns about the impact of climate change on environmental science and the unpredictable weather patterns.
- As the fires continue to threaten residential areas, universities, and care homes, meteorologists have also issued a storm warning, with potential disruptions to shipping through the Dardanelles Strait remaining a concern for weather-sensitive industries.
