Turkey's Bodrum surrounded by blazes

MUĞLA - Doğan News Agency

Fire fighting aircrafts and 800 people fought against the flames in Turkey’s ‘heavenly corner’ Bodrum of Muğla. DHA photo

Blazes started over the weekend in Turkey’s western provinces continued in Muğla’s Bodrum Aug.19.

The fire which started in Bodrum’s Ortakent district blazed for nearly seven hours and burned down some 70 hectares of fields.

The firefighters have brought the fire under control significantly.

A crew of nearly 800 people worked to douse the flames and prevent the fire’s advance. Some three workers, two firefighters and two forestry workers were affected by the intense smoke of the fire and hospitalized.

Fires which broke out at 23 points across Turkey reduced hundreds of hectares of forests to ashes over the weekend.

There were fires at 23 points of the country as of Aug 18.

An area of 300 hectares in Dalaman and 70 hectares in Fethiye were burned down in a day.

The fire threatened the residential area and some nine houses were evacuated as a precaution forcing villagers to spend the night out of their houses.

Officials said nearly 70 hectares of forested areas were damaged in Fethiye.