Hatay Governor Masatlı: 9 highland areas in Dörtyol and Payas districts evacuated as a precaution

A fire that broke out in a forested area near the Kırmızı Burun and Şelale picnic area in the Dörtyol district of Hatay grew rapidly and spread over a wide area. While aerial and ground intervention in the fire continues, Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı conducted inspections in the region.

Making a statement regarding the fires in the affected area, Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı said, "We received a report that a fire had broken out in the Kırmızı Burun area of our Dörtyol district. Following the report, all teams that would be involved in the fire response, primarily our forestry organization, AFAD, fire department, police, and gendarmerie, were dispatched to the field. In the meantime, 6 helicopters and 2 aircraft from both our region and Adana have contributed to the fight against this fire for a long time. Our aerial vehicles continued to fight the fire until 20:00. On the other hand, the fire is currently being fought with approximately 400 vehicles and 1,100 personnel from across our province and neighboring provinces. Along with the fire, 9 of our highland areas, located especially on the mountain side, both on our Dörtyol side and our Payas side, have been evacuated as a precaution. As of now, it is not possible for us to state the damage in our highlands. However, we have only received information that there is an issue regarding 4-5 houses in our Ziyaret highland. 920 households and 1,876 of our citizens have been evacuated from these 9 highlands. Our citizens are being accommodated in the Dörtyol girls' dormitory. All measures regarding their normal needs have been taken as of now for those who wish to stay there," he said.

"WE ARE EXPERIENCING EXTRAORDINARY TIMES"

Stating that the fire is being intervened in by working in coordination with all state institutions, Governor Masatlı said, "For the last 4-5 days, we have been experiencing extraordinary times in our province regarding fires, just as in the rest of Turkey. We had extinguished our fire in Antakya. We will try to extinguish our fire here as well, hopefully with the cooperation of all our institutions. As of now, of course, we have advantages and disadvantages. One of our advantages is that the intensity has decreased. Of course, our disadvantage is that we have problems, especially regarding the topography. However, both our construction machinery and our forestry organization teams are carrying out the necessary work to get ahead of the fire. We will continue to keep you informed about the situation. From here, I convey my best wishes to all our citizens, especially those in Dörtyol and Payas."

"WE ARE TRYING TO SEND TEAMS"

Stating that "other fires that broke out in our region have been brought under control and cooling efforts are underway," Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı said, "Now we have received a fire report in Hassa Arpalıuşağı. Our teams immediately intervened there as well. As of now, the fire has been brought under control. Cooling operations are being carried out. On the other hand, a fire also broke out on our Syrian border, that is, on the Syrian side of Yayladağı. The necessary control regarding the fire there has also been established. Cooling operations are being carried out. However, there is currently a fire on the Latakia side, that is, on the Syrian side, and we are currently working to send a few teams there, especially from Yayladağı," he said.