Wildfires rage in several Turkish provinces

Several Turkish provinces have recently banned visitors in forests given the risks of wildfires.

According to statements issued by the authorities, visitors are banned to enter forests varying between June 15 - Oct. 31 in several provinces including Istanbul, Çanakkale, Aydın, Ardahan, Tunceli, Kütahya and Bursa.

In the statement issued by the Bursa Forest Divisional Directorate, it was reported that decisions regarding the summer term were taken at the last meeting of the Bursa Provincial Forest Fire Fighting and Combating Commission. It was also announced that the ban is effective in all districts of the province between June 30 to Sept. 30.

The Çanakkale provincial governorship in a statement highlighted the need to undertake additional measures, since wildfires have started across the country in recent days. Authorities also noted that a similar ban is set to take effect from June 26 until Sept. 15, 2023.

The governorship of Istanbul on Friday has also issued a ban on setting any fire during picnics in natural parks, groves, and forest areas within the borders of the province between June 24 and Oct. 15.

Meanwhile, forest fires were reported in the Aksu and Kaş districts of Antalya province recently, however, the fire in the Ikizce neighborhood of Kaş is under control, according to the latest reports on Friday.