In Türkiye, a forest fire has reached residential areas in Izmir.

In Türkiye, a forest fire has reached residential areas in Izmir.

Thick smoke covered almost the entire city, turning the sky orange and gray.

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Smoke rises above the city of Izmir, Türkiye, August 16, 2024. (MEHMET EMIN MENGUARSLAN / ANADOLU)

Three neighborhoods in Izmir, Turkey's third-most populous city, were evacuated on Friday, local authorities said, while 16 buildings were damaged by the fires, adding that there were no casualties. The wildfires began on Thursday evening and quickly spread towards residential areas due to winds that reached speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour during the day.

Thick smoke blanketed almost the entire city of Izmir, turning the sky orange and grey, according to images broadcast by Turkish media. A shelter for stray dogs was also evacuated by animal rights activists. Strong winds were making it impossible for helicopters that were dropping water to intervene at night, Turkish news channel NTV reported. Firefighters were sent to reinforce several cities in Turkey, and the military and law enforcement authorities were mobilized.

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