A wildfire killed at least 10 forest workers and rescuers on Wednesday who were battling to douse the flames near Eskisehir in western Turkey, the authorities said.

Agriculture minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the fire killed five forest workers and five rescuers. A local lawmaker and news website BirGun had earlier said 11 had died.

High temperatures and strong winds have fanned the wildfire between Istanbul and the capital Ankara since Tuesday morning, with the spread threatening homes and forcing the evacuation of several villages.

The victims were wrong-footed when the flames suddenly changed direction, causing them to be "burnt alive," according to BirGun.

Twenty-four workers were caught in the "brusque evolution of the flames," Yumakli told broadcasters on Wednesday evening. The 14 who survived were being treated in hospital.

Hatipoglu, a deputy from the ruling AKP party, wrote on X there were "no words to describe our grief."

Turkey has been sweltering since Sunday under temperatures between six to 12 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norms and several fires have been declared. (AFP)