TRAVEL chaos has erupted in a Turkish holiday hotspot after raging wildfires blazed across the region and sparked mass evacuations.
The terrifying inferno ripped through the tourist resort of Foça, İzmir, before it was fanned by strong winds and tore through neighbourhoods.
Smoke and flame rise as firefighters continue to extinguish the wildfire in Aliaga district of Izmir[/caption]
Flames rise from forest area after a wildfire broke out in Seferihisar district[/caption]
Hundreds were evacuated from their homes[/caption]
The extinguishing operation involved firefighter on land and in air[/caption]
Chilling images showed the extent of the fires which ravaged local communities and engulfed forests in flames.
Planes were seen dumping large supplies of water over fiery infernos in order to combat the blazing fireballs.
And local residents watched in horror as their homes were torched up and forestry continued to burn.
Aftermath photos showed scorched cars and buildings while firefighters worked desperately to fight the flames.
Flights have now been suspended at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport following the raging wildfires.
Ongoing extinguishing efforts prevented jets from taking off or landing at the airport as of 4pm local time.
Flights scheduled to land at İzmir were reportedly diverted amid the travel mayhem.
And hundreds have been left stranded following the major disruption.
Brave firefighters spent 22 gruelling hours fighting the vicious blaze across İzmir.
The lengthy operation reportedly involved 625 personnel, six helicopters, 46 fire engines, 9 bulldozers, and 13 water supply vehicles.
Hundreds were evacuated form their houses – with 550 residents forced out of some 175 homes in Ilıpınar, Foça.
Four firefighters were also affected by smoke poisoning, two of whom were hospitalised.
The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown.
But preliminary findings suggest the inferno may have been caused by a high-voltage power line.
The governor of the province, Süleyman Elban, cautioned the population to exercise extreme caution in the next few days.
He said low humidity and high temperatures would aggravate the risk of more fires.
Homes were burned to cinders[/caption]
Cars were torched up in the fires[/caption]
The governor said: “We expect the next four or five days to be very hot, with strong winds and low humidity. These conditions are perfect for a fire.
“Everyone’s life is at stake. We must all be extremely cautious.”
Wildfires were also reported in Sakarya, Bilecik, and Manisa this week.
Environment Minister Murat Kurum said in Bilecik, 23 houses and 47 units in 3 villages were destroyed in the forest fires, whilst 41 houses and 25 barns and warehouses were severely damaged.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, said: “Nine major fires broke out in İzmir, Denizli, Aydın and Manisa.
“The fire in Manisa started again due to wind.
“Four villages and two neighbourhoods were evacuated due to the fire.”
Jets deployed water supplies over blazing regions[/caption]
The fire grounded multiple flights and diverted several[/caption]
