FIRE!

As this article was being written, forest fires that broke out at different times in 10 different regions of İzmir were spreading and moving toward the İzmir city center.

The fire began on the morning of June 29  first in the Menderes district. The Çamönü neighborhood, located near the flames, was evacuated. Helicopter support was requested from the Turkish Armed Forces. While 5 helicopters were attempting to extinguish this fire, another fire broke out for an undetermined reason in the scrubland of the Germiyan neighborhood in Çeşme.  This fire was followed by one in the grassy area along the İzmir-Çeşme Highway in the Urla district. Immediately afterward, a fire broke out in the forested area along the Selçuk-Kuşadası highway.

As this article was being written, it had already grown dark, the fire had spread to the Pamucak area due to the wind, and in the forested land between Selçuk and Kuşadası,  touristic facilities had begun to be evacuated. 

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı;  regarding the fires that broke out in 10 separate locations in İzmir and the wind  announced that 38 aircraft and 1,000 personnel were responding to the fires spreading due to the effect of the wind, and that the fire was moving toward İzmir. However, at that moment, more important headlines were being discussed on our news channels. 

On CNNTürk, Özgür Özel in his plaid jacket was being discussed; on Sözcü TV, a special report regarding the Sözcü newspaper; on Tele 1, behind-the-scenes news from the CHP; and on Halk TV, the potential cabinet reshuffle by the government. 

The burning of our forests, our country's national asset and treasure, was not on the agenda!

The fact that the fires, which broke out surprisingly one after another in very different parts of İzmir, were growing and moving toward the city was nothing more than a news ticker scrolling at the bottom of the screen.

Only Habertürk connected with its representative in İzmir to conduct a live broadcast. Our journalist colleague, connecting to the main news bulletin, said: “It is very similar to the Muğla fires. It is spreading rapidly because it started in different places. Even though a large number of helicopters are intervening in the fire, the wind speed is higher. And it has already started to get dark.”  

As this article was being written, the Aegean Forests, the oxygen source of Menderes, were being destroyed.

In the first week of June, we had been filming in Menderes, inside the Aegean forest.

As this article was being written, that sentence spoken by the hero of our documentary, Aegean Forest Foundation President Cem Bakioğlu, came to my mind. 

“We saw children starting fires just to see the firefighting helicopter! We need to teach children to love a tree first…”

The causes of the fires in Selçuk, Menderes, Torbalı, Menemen, and Çeşme must be investigated. The Turkish Armed Forces are fighting with heart and soul to extinguish the fire with 11 aircraft, 27 helicopters, 

 171 fire trucks and construction equipment, and 1,000 personnel. But unfortunately,  news channels did not bring the fire to the agenda and did not connect to the region. Our lifeblood is burning, yet this is how much it is cared about… 

Do not be angry, brother. 

One day everything will change. 

By loving a tree and knowing how to value it.

I have hope.