TURKISH DAILY NEWS
Saturday, June 28, 2008
ISTANBUL - Reuters
A forest fire raged Friday on a hill near the Mediterranean resort
Marmaris on Friday, prompting the evacuation of nearby hotels and houses at the height of the tourist season, broadcasters said.
Television footage showed woodland ablaze and strong winds blowing thick smoke across residential areas just 200 metres away in the Marmaris district of Armutalan.
Fire brigade teams were fighting the blaze from the ground and with helicopters, and hotels and houses in the vicinity were evacuated.
The cause of the blaze, which broke out around 3 p.m. (1200 GMT) was not immediately clear.
"Three helicopters and 25 vehicles are fighting the blaze," Forestry Directorate head Osman Kahveci told CNN Turk television. He said firefighters aimed to limit the fire to an area of 3-5 hectares.