Billows of flame swept through a forest in south Turkey's Antalya Province, August 1, 2008. [Xinhua]

Firefighters, helicopters and aircraft from all over Turkey were sent to southern Antalya province on Friday to help fight blazes that has destroyed at least 1,000 hectares of woodland so far.

Fire ignited Thursday in a village near Manavgat town of Antalya province, which is a popular coastal tourist destination, and now winds blow from the north in the direction of Serik town, officials were quoted by the semi-official Anatolia news agency as saying.

Dozens of houses and barns were completely destroyed in the fire in these villages, said the officials, noting that Karatas village in Manavgat was evacuated but two villagers were reportedly missing since Thursday evening.

No deaths or injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The flames were not threatening the ancient Greek theatre in Aspendos near the Mediterranean resort of Side, said the officials, adding tourists were still visiting the ancient site and that no blazes or smoke seen around.

Billows of flame swept through a forest in south Turkey's Antalya Province, August 1, 2008. [Xinhua]

 

Hundreds of villagers were loading their belongings to tractor-trailers and trucks, ready to flee the flames, according to Anatolia.

"We are trying really hard to put out the fire but winds and low humidity make things difficult for us," Antalya Forest Director Recep Kasan was quoted as saying.

"Reinforcing teams sent from all over the country are still coming to Antalya for help," said Kasan, adding that Istanbul municipality had sent special aircraft to help extinguish the fire.

However, meteorologists gave bad news to firefighters that the wind would continue to blow from the north and that low humidity would continue till Saturday.

"The wind would reverse and humidity will rise tomorrow (Saturday)," meteorologists said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2008)