The fires are still raging in the province of Smyrna, Turkey, pushed by the heavy, variable winds, blowing over 85 kilometers per hour and complicate the work of the firefighters, according to local officials.

A new home, near Antalya, threatened the popular Lara resort and its many hotels, but local authorities say firefighters are controlling it.

From Wednesday night, two fires have been burning forests to the east and west of Smyrna: around Endeomiz, from one and near Cesme, 80 kilometers away, on the other.

At least five communities were evacuated. However, an 80 -year -old patient was found dead inside his home in the area of ​​Edemiz because he was not removed in time, according to local media.

The fire threatens the motorway connecting Smyrna to Cesme and traffic has been interrupted.

“The fire is currently limited to the motorway zone,” said local governor Suleiman Elban. “The main problem is the speed of the wind reaching 85 kilometers,” he added, speaking to reporters. “The wind is constantly changing direction and makes it very difficult to intervene in the air and the land forces, because the fire spreads very quickly and also changes directions.

The commander said thirty helicopters and firefighters, as well as 1,100 fire trucks, have been mobilized.

According to Elban, who cited eyewitnesses and technicians, the fire started by an electric cable in a rural zone where intense drought was prevalent. The commander argued that most of the major fires of recent days are due to similar causes.

“Because we do not have rainfall, the soil is dry. The flames, pushed by the wind, spread to the forest areas, “said Ismail Kiuchuk, the Secretary General of the Meteorologists’ Union. “In the forest fires, after a while, in the heart of the fire the temperature rises dramatically, it can reach 800-900 degrees. And then it’s impossible to erase it, “he added.

On Monday, in the provinces of Smyrna and Hatay, 50,000 residents had to be removed from their communities.