Nearly 4,000 residents in western Turkey have been evacuated due to wildfires, with six people arrested for suspected sabotage. Helicopters and water bombers were called in to battle the blaze in Izmir, a popular resort city on the Aegean coast. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported that 17 homes were burned overnight. A total of 131 wildfires have broken out in several cities over the past week, affecting 1,600 hectares of land. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) stated that thousands of people have been evacuated from affected areas in Izmir, Manisa, Bolu, and Aydin. Experts attribute the increase in wildfires to climate change, as well as heatwaves in the region this year. In Greece, wildfires have also been a concern, with at least one person reported dead due to the fires near Athens. The situation in Turkey highlights the need for better disaster preparedness and climate change mitigation efforts to prevent future wildfires and protect residents in the region.
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