British tourists in Turkey holiday hotspot issued 'you may have to leave' warning

Brit holidaymakers have been warned of a risk from wildfires in Turkey and they may be told to “leave your accommodation”.

Earlier this month Turkey saw extreme 40C temperatures and still the mercury remains high which has helped raging fires continue to spread across southeastern parts of the country this week. Striking images show huge clouds of smoke and raging orange flames over forests in the Selcuk area of Izmir.

Helicopters have been used to help firefighters on the ground tackle the blazes which have been spreading quickly due to the dry vegetation. And with Turkey a popular tourist hotspot for Brit holidaymakers the government has given new advice for people to take care.

As well as being told that you need to be prepared for local authorities to tell you to leave your property due to wildfire, people could face prison sentences for lighting a fire or leaving cigarette butts in certain areas.

“Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer,” states the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. “You could get a fine or prison sentence for lighting a fire of any kind or discarding cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland. Barbecues are prohibited in these areas.

“If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities. If you see a wildfire, call emergency services on 112.” Fires in the southeast of Turkey led to 11 deaths and dozens of others needing medical treatment, officials said on June 21.

In neighbouring Greece, authorities evacuated several villages in the southern Peloponnese region because of wildfires. A blaze in Turkey broke out in an area between the provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin. Fanned by winds, it moved quickly through the villages of Koksalan, Yazcicegi and Bagacik, Diyarbakir Gov Ali Ihsan Su said. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca posted on X that 11 people were killed. Around 80 others required treatment, including six who were in a serious condition.

Residents believe the blaze was caused by sparks from a power line that set crop residue ablaze, according to independent news website Gazete Duvar. Some of the hospitalised people were villagers who tried to extinguish the fire, it said. Hundreds of farm animals also perished in the fire, according to news channel HaberTurk.

Across the country in northwest Turkey, meanwhile, firefighters were battling a wildfire near the town of Ayvacik in Canakkale province, the state-run Anadolu Agency said. No one was hurt, but authorities evacuated the small village of Camkoy as a precaution, the agency reported.