Interior Minister Yerlikaya announces figures regarding 65 forest fires in 12 provinces: 10 people arrested

Minister Yerlikaya explained the developments regarding the fires that occurred in many parts of the country through figures. Interior Minister Yerlikaya included the following statements in his post on his social media account:

Regarding the 65 forest fires that occurred in 12 of our provinces between June 26 and July 4, 2025;

44 suspects were taken into custody. 10 of them were arrested; judicial control measures were applied to 6 of them.

Statements were taken from 13 suspects, and judicial proceedings are ongoing for 15 suspects.

In the Bozköy neighborhood of Aliağa, İzmir; it was determined that the forest fire, which started on June 26 and was extinguished on the same day, occurred because a fire lit during garden cleaning spread to the forest area. Of the 6 individuals taken into custody, M.E. was arrested. I.B., E.İ., S.İ., R.E., and L.N. were released after their statements were taken.

In the Hacıyakup neighborhood of the Taraklı district in Sakarya; the fire that started on June 27 was extinguished as a result of 2 days of work. As a result of the determination that individuals named R.N., Y.N., and N.İ. were plowing a field at the point where the fire started; 3 individuals were taken into custody. 2 were released with judicial control conditions, and 1 was released after their statement was taken.

In the Yakaköy neighborhood of Bornova, İzmir; judicial proceedings were initiated against 5 suspects within the scope of the fire that started on June 27 and was extinguished on the same day. It was understood that the fire broke out due to sparks generated while individuals named N.N., L.B., E.Ü., E.K., and R.N. were working with a welding machine and a grinder. 3 individuals were arrested. 2 suspects were released with judicial control conditions.

In the Musaca neighborhood of Akhisar, Manisa; within the scope of the forest fire that started on June 28 and is still ongoing; judicial proceedings were initiated against 1 suspect. It was determined that the fire broke out as a result of a fire lit by an individual named D.A. to clean beehives spreading to the forest area. 1 individual was arrested.

In the Halıca neighborhood of Havran, Balıkesir; within the scope of the forest fire that started on June 28 and was extinguished on June 29; judicial proceedings were initiated against 1 suspect. It was understood that the fire broke out as a result of sparks from a welding machine used by an individual named M.N. spreading to the forest area. 1 individual was released after their statement was taken.

In the Çamköy neighborhood of Bigadiç, Balıkesir; it was determined that the forest fire, which started on June 26 and was extinguished on the same day, occurred as a result of a fire that started in a field spreading to the forest area. Judicial proceedings were initiated against 3 suspects. Regarding the incident, suspects named İ.Ç., A.Ç., and F.I. were released after their statements were taken.

In the Gökçeören neighborhood of Altıeylül, Balıkesir; it was determined that the forest fire, which started on July 1 and was extinguished on the same day, began as a result of sparks from a combine harvester spreading to the forest area. Proceedings were initiated against 1 suspect. An individual named M.T. was arrested.

In the Yenikent town of Gediz, Kütahya; it was determined that the forest fire, which started on July 1 and was extinguished on July 2, occurred as a result of sparks from a combine harvester spreading to the forest area. Proceedings were initiated against 1 suspect. An individual named R.A. was released with judicial control conditions.

In the Alacaat neighborhood of Mustafa Kemalpaşa, Bursa; within the scope of the forest fire that started on July 1 and was extinguished on July 2; 9 suspects who were engaged in forest logging activities were taken into custody. Judicial proceedings for the 9 suspects are ongoing.

In the Zafer neighborhood of Buca, İzmir; it was determined that the fire, which started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day, broke out due to sparks generated while working with a welding machine. 4 individuals named N.I., S.R., Y.N., and B.N., who caused the fire, were taken into custody. Judicial proceedings for the suspects are ongoing.

In the Balabancı village of Eşme, Uşak; it was determined that the fire, which started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day, occurred due to sparks generated while working with a baling machine in the field. Individuals named R.S. and B.S. were taken into custody and arrested.

In the Karabıyık neighborhood of Pazarcık, Kahramanmaraş; it was determined that the fire, which started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day, occurred due to sparks from a picnic fire spreading to the forest area. A suspect named M.N. was released with judicial control conditions.

In the Bardakçı neighborhood of Seyitgazi, Eskişehir; the fire that started on July 4 and was extinguished on the same day was determined to have occurred in an area where forest logging workers were working. 2 suspects were taken into custody. Judicial proceedings for the suspects are ongoing.

In the Hisarköy neighborhood of Mut, Mersin; the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day was assessed to have originated from an electricity pole, and 1 suspect was taken into custody. The suspect was released after their statement was taken.

In the Karıncak village of the Central district, Kırklareli; within the scope of the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day; individuals named A.S. and D.Ç., who were caught at the point where the fire started, were released after their statements were taken.

In the Çanta Balan neighborhood of Silivri, Istanbul; it was determined that the fire, which started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day, broke out due to sparks generated while working with a welding machine. 2 suspects named V.S. and N.K.B., who caused the fire, were taken into custody and arrested.

It is of great importance that our citizens are much more cautious and take precautions to protect our forests, especially on hot summer days.

May God protect our country and our nation from all kinds of disasters.