Turkey still struggles with wildfires across the country

Wildfires fuelled by high temperatures and gusts of wind are raging in south-western Turkey, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of villages in the region.

Turkey's Minister of Agriculture and Foresty Bekir Pakdemirli said on Monday that they had taken control of 125 of 132 fires in the last 5 days. There has also been 78 rural fire across the country. Investigations into the causes of wildfires are still ongoing.

"We have controlled 125 of 132 fires in the last 5 days, 7 of them are still ongoing. In addition, our organization intervened in rural fires in 78." said Pakdemirli.

The wildfires, which started on July 28, were first seen in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey, especially in the district of Manavgat.

A call to help for Turkey

The fires that broke out across the country brought along new political debates. Most of the opposing people in Turkey invites the international community to help the country. They think that the planes, which are critical in responding to the fire, are insufficient. Many people posts with #HelpTurkey hastags on Twitter yesterday.

However, pro-government Twitter users responds this hashtag with the #StrongTürkiye.

Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun posted a tweet and said "Our struggle with wildfires that have affected our country continues by mobilizing all the means of our state. 122 of 129 fires in 35 provinces have been taken under control. Our Turkey is strong! #StrongTürkiye"