British tourists in Turkey have been cautioned about ongoing wildfires in the southeastern region. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to aid travelers amid the extreme heat that has led to evacuations in several areas. Helicopters are being deployed in Diyarbakir and Mardi provinces to contain the fires, while two hotels and multiple homes have already been evacuated.

In the Selcuk district of Izmir, firefighting resumed early on June 30 with helicopters and planes. The fires, which ignited on June 29, have resulted in the death of hundreds of animals. High temperatures exceeding 40°C have contributed to the spread of the flames.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya identified “stubble burning” as a cause. The Foreign Office released emergency guidelines stressing the risks and legal consequences of starting fires unintentionally. So far, Turkey has experienced 74 wildfires this year, affecting 31,900 acres as reported by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).