Thirty-five fires break out in 48 hours in Trabzon

Photo: AA

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A total of 35 fires broke out in Turkey's northeastern province of Trabzon, its mayor announced yesterday (October 11).

Fires broke out in 25 open areas, five homes and five forest areas, Mayor Murat Zorluoğlu said, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).

Fires were mostly caused by picnics and stubble burning in hazelnut groves and controlled without losses of lives, said the mayor.

"Especially the fires burned in groves for various reasons cause fires. Even though our citizens think that they have a controlled burning, stubble fires can get out of control with a light wind and threaten people's lives and property," he warned the public, adding that the weather has been hot, dry and windy.

According to a report by the WWF, the average length of the forest fire season has increased by 19 percent over the past 35 years due to extreme temperatures and changing climate conditions. (TP/VK)