Helicopters Silhouetted Against Smoke as Fires Burn in Southwest Turkey

Turkish authorities were continuing to battle nine wildfires across four provinces on Monday, August 2, and had brought 129 fires under control over the previous six days, forestry minister Bekir Pakdemirli said.

Several tourist areas remained affected by the fires, including the district of Marmaris in Mugla province, on the country’s southwest coast. This footage, taken on Sunday in the village of Turunc, close to the town of Marmaris, shows water-bombing helicopters in flight, silhouetted by smoke and sunlight.

By Sunday, at least eight people had been killed in the fires – seven in Manavgat and one in Marmaris – according to the Turkey’s health minister, Fahrettin Koca.

The Turkish Red Crescent was providing support, including food, to firefighters and people affected by the fires. The Turkish coast guard said it was helping to evacuate coastal communities. Credit: @TuruncBeachHouseArt via Storyful