Fire breaks out again in Sakarya: Highway closed to traffic

Turkey continues to battle forest fires. A fire broke out in a forested area in the Balaban locality between the Karaçam and Nuruosmaniye neighborhoods of Sakarya's Geyve district. Upon reports from citizens who saw smoke rising from the area, numerous teams were quickly dispatched to the scene.

According to initial findings, the fire started with a flash originating from under a power line.

AERIAL AND GROUND INTERVENTION CONTINUES

Teams from the Regional Directorate of Forestry and the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department began efforts to extinguish the fire. The fact that the fire is affecting steep and sloped terrain makes intervention difficult. For this reason, a firefighting helicopter was also sent to the region. The battle against the flames continues intensely from both the air and the ground.

D-650 HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

Because the fire is affecting an area close to the highway, the D-650 highway, which provides a connection between Sakarya and Bilecik, has been closed to traffic in both directions. Authorities have warned citizens to use alternative routes.

MINISTER YUMAKLI: "THE RISK CONTINUES"

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in a statement made in the morning hours, had stated that the fire was largely brought under control the previous day and that cooling efforts were continuing, using the following expressions:

"Interventions continued throughout the night. Our aircraft also joined these interventions in the morning hours. The fire has been largely brought under control, thank God. However, our risk perception is high due to temperature and wind starting from the afternoon hours. Our teams are continuing their watch."

Minister Yumaklı had also announced that the D-650 highway, which had been closed to traffic previously, had been reopened. However, with the fire reigniting, the road has been closed to traffic once again.

News Source : 12punto