Wildfires in the Middle East

Turkey battles wildfires for 6th day, EU to send planes

Climate change driven disasters seem to be global this year. In the US and Canada summer wildfires are a regular occurrence: we’re now seeing reports of similar disasters almost everywhere.

This report out of Turkey is typical:

ISTANBUL, Aug 1 (Reuters) – The death toll from wildfires on Turkey’s southern coast rose to eight on Sunday as firefighters battled for a fifth day to contain blazes still raging in coastal resort towns.

Two more people died on Sunday due to wildfires in the southern town of Manavgat, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, adding that 10 others were receiving treatment in hospital in the area.

Most of more than 100 blazes that erupted in Turkey in the last five days have been contained, authorities said. However, fires were still blazing in Manavgat and in Marmaris and the inland town of Milas, Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said, prompting the evacuation of some residential areas and hotels.

More here.

Video report from the BBC here: