Wildfire death toll climbs to six as Turkey declares official disaster

(Updated with death toll, remarks by Erdoğan, Russian support)

The death toll from wildfires raging in Turkey's Mediterranean towns rose to six Saturday after two forest workers were killed, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

A total of 98 blazes have swept through 30 cities in Turkey since Wednesday, as more than 4,000 firefighters, assisted by helicopters and planes, fight to bring the fires under control.

The fires have burned down forests while encroaching on villages and the country's tourism hotspots while forcing people to evacuate.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday announced that neighbourhoods affected by the fires in Antalya, Mersin, Osmaniye, Muğla and Adana provinces would be declared disaster areas, Anadolu reported. Authorities also announced a ban on people entering forests in a bid to prevent more fires.

Later on Saturday, Erdoğan visited the area to inspect the damage from a helicopter, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Speaking from the town of Manavgat in southern Antalya province, the Turkish president announced that the government would cover the rents for people affected by the wildfires and rebuild their homes.

Vowing to “replace everything that was burned”, Erdoğan announced that taxes, social security and credit payments would be postponed for those affected, while small businesses would be offered credit at zero interest, the agency said.

Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli announced that 88 of the blazes spreading across its southern provinces had been brought under control.

At least ten other fires, however, continue to sweep across five cities in Turkey's Mediterranean and southern Aegean region, T24 reported on Saturday.

The ministry released a document with the latest updates on the wildfires.

At Bodrum, in Muğla province, 80 hectares (197 acres) were burnt despite firefighting efforts on the ground and by air. More than 4,000 tourists and staff were evacuated from two luxury hotels by the coastguard and fishing vessels.

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said 11 air vehicles would be sent to Turkey to fight the forest fires, Diken news site reported on Saturday.

The Russian embassy said on Thursday that three of its water bomber planes were assisting in the firefighting operations. Azerbaijan announced it would send 500 emergency workers, helicopters and other equipment to help. Greece and France have also offered help.

Some government officials speculated that the cause might be arson attacks by the outlawed Kurdistan Worker' Party (PKK), but provided no evidence. The mayor for Marmaris said he couldn't rule out “sabotage” as a cause for the fire there.

However, experts spoke of broader climate trends in Turkey and elsewhere. 

"The weather is extremely hot and dry. This helps to start fires. Our smallest mistake leads to great disaster," Turkish climate scientist Levent Kurnaz tweeted.

Perşembe günü (28.07.2021) bölgemizde çıkan yangınlar. Hava aşırı sıcak ve kurak. Bu yangınların çıkmasına destek veriyor. En ufak hatamız büyük bir felakete yol açıyor. pic.twitter.com/qckR4xfbTK

— Levent Kurnaz ? (@leventkurnaz) July 30, 2021

Wildfires are common in Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean regions during drouthy summer months.