WILDFIRES are continuing to sweep across Europe and Turkey is one of the latest countries to battle the blazes.
Here’s everything you need to know right now about travelling to Turkey.
Where are the wildfires in Turkey?
Fires have broken out in various parts of Turkey.
One location which is popular for holidays is Antalya, and within the province there are multiple wildfires.
Currently, these are further inland than the coastal resorts popular with tourists.
The Fethiye–Antalya highway was temporarily closed due to smoke but later reopened under controlled conditions.
Another serious and active fire is in Seydikemer, 20-minutes away from the city of Fethiye, where 600 people have been evacuated from their homes.
It’s in the hills between Fethiye and Marmaris – the fire started on Wednesday morning and spread into woodland.
On the northwestern Aegean coast, three neighborhoods in the Ayvalık district – Hacıveliler, Tıfıllar, and Bağyüzü – have been evacuated.
This is as a precaution due to a wildfire spreading across Turkey’s western Balıkesir province.
Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on X: “We are continuing to fight the wildfires day and night.
He said emergency responders had tackled 169 fires across the country since Wednesday, and 163 of those have “been completely brought under control.”
Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?
Most of Turkey is still considered safe to travel to, excluding the areas of the Syrian-Turkey border.
But officials do heed warning about the natural disaster as there is a “high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October”.
It reads: “Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer.
“You could get a fine or prison sentence for lighting a fire of any kind or discarding cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland. Look out for signs that tell you fires, barbeques, and smoking are prohibited.
“If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities.
“If you see a wildfire, call emergency services on 112.”
GOV.UK adds that “extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months.”
Are flights still going to Turkey?
Flights to Turkey remain unaffected.
If you are due to fly in and have concerns, it may be worth contacting your airline to check if they are operating normally.
What if I have a holiday to Turkey booked?
As the Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Greece, there are no special circumstances in place for holidaymakers to cancel their trip and receive a full refund.
Depending on what travel insurance you have, your policy might include natural disaster cover.
If so, your insurance policy should cover you for when you are unable to reach your holiday destination due to natural disasters, like wildfires.
So it is worth checking your travel insurance policy.
Can I cancel my trip?
If you do choose to cancel your trip, it is best to contact your airline or holiday provider.
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings unless government advice changes.