Homes evacuated in İzmir forest fire: One person detained

A fire that started in a grassy area in the Tire district of İzmir and spread to residential areas has been brought under control by the intervention of teams.

According to the information received, a fire broke out for reasons yet to be determined in a grassy area in Alacalı Neighborhood.

Upon notification of the fire, the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry and fire department teams were dispatched to the region.

The fire, which grew due to the wind, spread to residential areas, barns, and haylofts in the neighborhood.

Many people moved their animals within the neighborhood to other areas.

Citizens living in the neighborhood also supported the firefighting efforts with tankers.

The fire was brought under control with the intervention of the teams.

On the other hand, 3 houses, 1 tractor, and 1 automobile affected by the fire were rendered unusable.

STATEMENT FROM MINISTER YUMAKLI

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı arrived in İzmir, where the fight against forest fires is ongoing. Minister Yumaklı made statements regarding the fires at the coordination center in the region where the forest fire occurred between Kuyucak neighborhood in İzmir's Menderes district and Orhanlı neighborhood in Seferihisar district. Minister Yumaklı was accompanied by AK Party Secretary General and İzmir Deputy Kadir Eyyüp İnan, İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban, and General Director of Forestry Bekir Karacabey.

‘DESPITE OUR WARNINGS, FIRES BROKE OUT IN VARIOUS REGIONS’

Stating that the General Directorate of Meteorology had issued a serious wind and storm warning for Marmara, the Aegean, and partially the Mediterranean since the beginning of the week, Minister Yumaklı said, "We warned our citizens. But unfortunately, forest fires broke out in various parts of our country. Regarding the fire in Manisa Akhisar, just as we were saying, 'We have extinguished it,' sparks from the fire area were carried outside by the wind, and our colleagues began fighting it again."

‘THERE WERE 77 FIRES IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY’

Pointing out that 77 fires broke out across the country just today, Minister Yumaklı said, "There were 77 fires in our country today. 53 of these were outside the forest. I no longer want to specify this as 'inside the forest' or 'outside the forest,' but I want to state that we are not just talking about a forest fire here, but actually a comprehensive struggle. 9 of these were large. Aydın-Nazilli-İsabeyli, Manisa-Soma, Aydın-Nazilli-Yazıkent, Antalya-Aksu, İzmir-Gaziemir, Akhisar, İzmir-Kuyucak, and İzmir-Doğanbey. Of these, Akhisar, İzmir-Kuyucak, and İzmir-Doğanbey are currently ongoing. These 3 fires are also serious. Our colleagues brought the others under control with intense effort."

'A FEW OF OUR AIRCRAFT CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING'

Stating that the wind speed in İzmir reached 120 kilometers per hour in some places today, Minister Yumaklı said, "A few of our aircraft attempted to take off and came close to crashing. I am saying this to explain the severity of the situation; the fire in Menderes-Kuyucak is right next to the forest. Unfortunately, there is a problem in the residential areas there, I don't know anymore. Law enforcement is conducting its investigation. In a region called Beyazevler in Gaziemir, it started from something burned in a factory garden. Likewise, in Seferihisar Doğanbey. Because our colleagues are transferring their forces to other regions, they cannot concentrate on a single place."

'4 VILLAGES AND 2 NEIGHBORHOODS EVACUATED'

Providing information about the personnel working in the fire, Minister Yumaklı said, "Today in İzmir; a total of 1113 of our colleagues, including 11 planes, 27 helicopters, 281 water tenders, construction equipment and other vehicles, and 694 forestry workers, participated in this struggle. 2 planes worked continuously. Helicopters operated gradually according to the characteristics of the areas they were in, as much as the wind allowed. AFAD, gendarmerie, police, our health forces, and fire department teams also supported this struggle with all their might. Our interventions will continue. Our colleagues will use the partial calm brought by the night and will continue until morning. However, meteorological data in Doğanbey and Kuyucak show that the wind will blow up to 40-50 kilometers throughout the night. For now, there were 4 villages and 2 neighborhoods evacuated. If there are those who need to be evacuated from residential areas, we will evacuate them in a coordinated manner. We do not feel the need for now. A total of 3 citizens said they were affected by smoke, but when they went to the hospital, they were treated as outpatients. They have no health risks."

MINISTER TUNÇ: DETENTION REGARDING THE BUCA FIRE

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç's statement is as follows: 

"Within the scope of the investigation initiated by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the forest fire that occurred in the Buca district of our İzmir province, 1 suspect has been detained on the grounds that they started the fire with gasoline. Judicial proceedings have been initiated against the suspect, who is alleged to have set fire to their own residence and subsequently started the forest fire, within the scope of the crime of 'intentionally causing a forest fire.' Investigations initiated regarding forest fires in different regions of our country are also being carried out in a multi-faceted and meticulous manner. Those who threaten our 'Green Homeland' will not be able to escape from being held accountable before justice. 

It should be known that; For those who cause a forest fire through negligence: 3 to 10 years of imprisonment, For those who intentionally burn a forest: At least 10 years of imprisonment + judicial fine, For those who burn a forest for terrorist purposes: Life imprisonment + judicial fine from 20,000 to 25,000 days, For those who light fires in unauthorized places, burn stubble, or throw cigarettes: 1 to 3 years of imprisonment + judicial fine are applied. If death or injury occurs, additional penalties are applied for these crimes.

Everyone needs to be sensitive and careful so that every negligence and every spark does not turn into a lifetime of regret. We thank all our teams, especially our forestry organization, who work selflessly despite all difficulties to protect our green homeland and extinguish the fires that break out, and we wish them ease."