Turkey: 98 massive forest fires under control

Ninety-eight of 107 forest fires in Turkey are under control, the nation’s Agriculture and Forestry Minister said late Saturday, reports Anadolu Agency.

Efforts to contain nine blazes are still ongoing, Bekir Pakdemirli said during a news conference at a fire management center in the Degirmenyani district of southwestern Mugla province.

Pakdemirli warned that caution will be needed to combat the massive fires on Sunday when humidity is expected to drop 10%.

He said three firefighting aircraft, nine helicopters, 146 water tenders, 20 water trucks, and eight dozers are being used by 529 personnel to extinguish the blaze in Marmaris.

“As the head of an organisation that planted 5.5 billion trees, we will plant 1 thousand trees in lieu of each tree burned when the first rains fall,” he said.

The fires started on Wednesday with most in southern regions. At least six people have been killed.

READ: Death toll from Turkey wildfires rises to 4