ANKARA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye's Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli on Wednesday warned of the increasing threat of wildfires as temperatures soar across the country, stressing that the risk is set to intensify in the coming days due to heat and strong winds.
"As of today, especially from noon onwards, we are facing increasing temperatures and strong winds. The risk will continue throughout the week," he told reporters in the northwestern Bilecik province, as blazes have hit the country since the weekend.
Firefighting teams are working on Wednesday to extinguish flames in the provinces of Sakarya, Antalya, Eskisehir, Bilecik and Denizli, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.
The Turkish minister confirmed that the wildfire in Urla district of Izmir province has been brought under control. Aerial and ground units, including helicopters, planes, and fire trucks, are being deployed in the affected areas, he said.
Yumakli pointed out that the number of fires in Türkiye that broke out since the beginning of the year has exceeded 4,000, noting the country would be on full alert for the risk of fire until Oct. 15. ■