In Turkey, at least six fires are still out of control

Turkey is fighting the worst forest fires in ten years for the twelfth day in a row, and according to official figures published today, at least six fires are still out of control, official sources announced.

Emergency services have focused mainly on extinguishing fires in the western Turkish province of Mugli, where strong winds are impeding fire efforts.

A fire broke out near the Daliaman International Airport on Sunday, but did not disrupt the flight schedule.

The steep mountain terrain and dense forests in the Mugli province make it difficult for firefighters to reach areas burned by the continent, so fireplanes, Canadians, and helicopters have been sent to help.

Relief and assistance were sent, among other things, by the Spaniards, Russians, and Poles.

Omid Nouripour, a German Greens Foreign Policy expert, urged Berlin to send aid to Turkey.

The “Political reforms should not and cannot prevent when it comes to assistance. It cannot be assisted only by EU member states when it comes to natural disasters,” said Nouripour for DPA.

Television NTV reported that a strong wind had lit a fire in the province of Aydin, believed to be under control.

Meanwhile, the situation in Antalya, south of the country, is somewhat better. According to local authorities, emergency services withdrew and were sent to the western part of Turkey as reinforcements.

Experts estimate that more than 100,000 acres (or, about 1,000 square km) of land has been destroyed so far.

The opposition has accused the ruling party of failing to own their operational fire extinguisher aircraft.

According to official figures, 16 planes and more than 50 helicopters are currently fighting fires in Turkey, but most have been sent from other countries. Thousands of volunteers came to the aid of firemen and rescuers.

The causes of the fire are still being investigated. There are rumors that children accidentally lit a fire in Marmaris, and the media report that three people were arrested in Bodrum last week under suspicion that they caused fire by throwing cigarette tails out of a car.

President Recep Tayip Erdogan has blamed the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) banned for firing.

So far, at least eight people have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured in powerful fires in Turkey.