Wildfires rage in Türkiye amid 50 degree Celsius heat

The Bursa Governor's Office said 1,765 people have been evacuated while more than 1,900 firefighters are still battling raging wildfires.

>>> Readers are invited to watch a video about the forest fire in Turkey

Video source: Independent

According to Al Jazeera, forest fires that have lasted for weeks have engulfed Bursa, causing Turkey's fourth largest city to be engulfed in "a sea of fire" and more than 1,700 people to be evacuated to safety.

"1,765 people have been safely evacuated from villages in the northeast while more than 1,900 firefighters are battling the blaze. 500 rescue workers are also at the scene," the Bursa Governor's Office said in a statement on July 27.

The highway connecting Bursa with the capital Ankara was temporarily closed due to the impact of a forest fire.

Aircraft participate in fighting forest fires in Orhaneli, Bursa, Türkiye. Photo: Anadolu.

Unusually high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have fueled the wildfires.

Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said firefighting teams across the country were battling 84 separate fires. He said the country’s northwest was under the greatest threat, including Karabuk, where wildfires have been burning since July 22.

“We are going through a dangerous period. This situation does not seem to be over in two or three days,” Minister Yumakli said, referring to the heatwave.

At least 14 people, including one firefighter, have died in wildfires in recent weeks.

Türkiye's Meteorological Administration said the country recorded its highest ever temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius in Sirnak province on July 25.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/chay-rung-du-doi-tai-tho-nhi-ky-giua-nang-nong-50-do-c-post2149041448.html