Wildfires broke out in the southern and western provinces of Turkey over the weekend as summer heat grips a large swathe of the country.

Wildfires erupted in multiple locations in the provinces of Hatay, Mersin, Canakkale, and Izmir since Sunday amid soaring temperatures and low humidity.

A total of 19 fires broke out on Sunday, 16 of which have been under control said Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya

STORY: Firefighters battle wildfires in Türkiye amid scorching weather
DATELINE: July 18, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:33
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the wildfires in Türkiye's Mersin province (courtesy of ihlas News Agency)
2. various of the wildfires in Türkiye's Hatay province (courtesy of ihlas News Agency)
3. various of the wildfires in Türkiye's Canakkale province (courtesy of ihlas News Agency)
 
STORYLINE:
 
Wildfires broke out in the southern and western provinces of Türkiye over the weekend as summer heat grips a large swathe of the country, local media reported on Monday.
 
Wildfires erupted in multiple locations in the provinces of Hatay, Mersin, Canakkale, and Izmir since Sunday amid soaring temperatures and low humidity, according to semi-official Anadolu Agency and state-run broadcaster TRT.
 
A total of 19 fires broke out on Sunday, 16 of which have been under control, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters.
 
"Tremendous efforts are being made to prevent the fire from spreading further. We have been closely monitoring the situation, including aerial footage captured by armed drones," Yerlikaya added.
 
He said he hoped the remaining blazes could be extinguished "as soon as possible" as their momentum have slightly diminished.
 
Türkiye was hit by a strong heatwave last week, with the country's Meteorological Service forecasting temperatures reaching up to 43 degree Celsius in parts of the country, according to the Hurriyet Daily News.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)