ANTALYA - Firefighters, helicopters and aircraft from all over Turkey sent to southern Antalya province on Friday to help fight blazes that destroyed at least 1,000 hectares of woodland so far.
Fire started Thursday in a village near Manavgat town, which is a popular coastal tourist destination, and now winds blow in direction of Serik town, officials said. Karatas village in Manavgat was evacuated but two villagers were reportedly missing since Thursday evening.
The flames were not threatening the ancient Greek theatre in Aspendos, near the Mediterranean resort of Side, officials stated. Tourists were still visiting the ancient site and no blazes or smoke seen around, they said.
No deaths or injuries have been reported and the cause of the fires was not immediately known.
A.A reporters saw hundreds of villagers in several villages or small settlements loaded their belongings to tractor-trailers and trucks, ready to flee from the flames.
Dozens of houses and barns were completely destroyed in the fire in these villages.
"We are trying really hard to put out the fire but winds and low humidity make things difficult for us," Antalya Forest Director Recep Kasan said.
"Reinforcing teams sent from all over the country are still coming to Antalya for help," Kasan said. He said Istanbul municipality had sent special aircraft to help extinguish the fire.
However, meteorologists gave bad news to firefighters that the wind would continue to blow from the north and low humidity would continue till Saturday.
"The wind would reverse and humidity will rise tomorrow (Saturday)," meteorologists said.
(TÇ-AÖ)
(GEN)