Flames engulf Turkey: Alarm in İzmir and Mersin, evacuations have begun!

Turkey is once again battling forest fires under the influence of summer heat. Fires breaking out in succession, particularly in the provinces of İzmir, Manisa, Aydın, and Mersin, have put teams on high alert. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that 9 major fires are currently active across four provinces.

Interventions against the fires continued throughout the night, and efforts persisted into the morning hours. Evacuations have begun in areas affected by the fires, and some villages and neighborhoods have been cleared. Aerial intervention was limited due to the nighttime conditions and strong winds.

FLAMES REACH THE SEA IN SEFERİHİSAR

The Seferihisar district of İzmir was one of the areas where the fire was felt most intensely. Mayor İsmail Yetişkin stated in his statements throughout the night that there were no casualties in the fire, but emphasized that the material damage was significant.

Yetişkin said that aerial intervention could not be carried out due to the intensity of the wind and the darkness of the night, and that ground intervention was being carried out under very difficult conditions. Stating that the flames were expected to reach the sea, the Mayor announced that many villages had been evacuated as a precaution.

UNDER CONTROL IN GAZİEMİR, TEAMS REDIRECTED TO SEFERİHİSAR

The fire in the Gaziemir district of İzmir was brought under control towards morning. Gaziemir Mayor Ünal Işık stated that after the teams in the district extinguished the fire, they would join the efforts in Seferihisar at an appropriate time.

Additionally, Adnan Menderes Airport, which was closed to flights for a short time due to the fire, has been reopened to flight traffic.

FIRES IN TWO REGIONS IN MERSİN

A fire that broke out in a forested area in the Esenpınar neighborhood of Mersin's Erdemli district spread rapidly due to the wind. With the intervention of the Forest Management Directorate teams, the fire was brought under control towards morning. 1.5 hectares of land were damaged in the fire. Cooling efforts are still ongoing in the region.

In the Silifke district, a fire that broke out in the Göksu Delta made direct intervention difficult due to the marshy terrain. While teams are ensuring perimeter security, the fire in the reed bed is expected to extinguish on its own towards morning.

İBB SENT SUPPORT TEAM TO THE REGION

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Fire Department dispatched a team consisting of 11 vehicles and 38 personnel to the region to intervene in the fires in İzmir. In a statement made on the Istanbul Fire Department's social media account, it was said, "We are heading to the region with our team to support the forest fire that occurred in İzmir."

İBB Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan also announced in a statement on his social media account that the teams involved in the work in Sakarya and Bilecik were kept on standby for the fires in İzmir and Manisa.

MINISTER YUMAKLI: 4 VILLAGES AND 2 NEIGHBORHOODS EVACUATED

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said in his statement, "3 fires in İzmir are serious. We are intervening in a total of 9 major fires. As of now, 4 villages and 2 neighborhoods have been evacuated."

Minister Yumaklı said that the teams have mobilized all their resources and that aerial intervention will be increased as soon as weather conditions permit.

VICE PRESIDENT YILMAZ: "EVERY FIRE TEARS A PIECE FROM OUR HEARTS"

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz also drew attention to the fires in a statement on his social media account. Stating, "With the heat, the risk of fire in forested areas has also increased. Every fire tears a piece from our hearts," Yılmaz called on citizens to be careful.