Wildfires, fanned by strong winds, blaze in Turkey’s west and north

A forest fire in Turkey's western coastal province of Izmir, fanned by strong winds, is near residential areas, forcing some people to be evacuated, the local governor said on Friday, as firefighters also tried to contain other wildfires in the north.

The fire in Izmir started late on Thursday in the Karsiyaka district for unknown reasons, as firefighters already worked to contain three separate fires in northwestern Turkey.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said the fire in Karsiyaka continued in between four and five different areas despite efforts to contain it using planes, helicopters, and other vehicles, adding that a village had been evacuated.

"The intervention is becoming difficult as it is very close to residential areas. There is no loss of life until now," Elban said. "We have information that some houses burned. Since there are winds of up to 80...