Minister Yumaklı makes statement regarding the day 44 fires broke out across Turkey

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı arrived in the region to inspect the fire that broke out around 17:00 in the Pamucak area of İzmir's Selçuk district.

Speaking to members of the press after his inspections, Minister Yumaklı said, "I wish a speedy recovery to the residents and citizens of the provinces affected by the fires that broke out in 7 different cities in Turkey today. A total of 44 fires occurred across Turkey today, 30 of which were rural, meaning non-forest fires."

11 of these were fires that we consider to be in the high-risk group. Thankfully, the necessary interventions were carried out for 6 of them, and they currently pose no risk and have been brought under control. The intensity of the fires in İzmir's Torbalı and Çeşme districts, as well as Balıkesir's Susurluk district, has been reduced. They do not pose any threat at the moment," he said.

"NO RISK IN MENDERES FIRE"

Stating that teams are continuing their interventions regarding the fires that started in İzmir's Menderes and Selçuk districts, Minister Yumaklı added the following:

"The intensity of the fire in Menderes has been largely reduced, but it is not yet under control. In Selçuk, our colleagues are continuing intensive interventions in 2 areas. There is no risk involved, neither in terms of residential areas nor other accommodation facilities. However, our colleagues are continuing their interventions due to the rugged terrain."

"NEARLY 500 PERSONNEL ARE INTERVENING"

Stating that 4 planes, 8 helicopters, 80 land vehicles, and approximately 480 personnel intervened in the Selçuk fire at the initial stage, Yumaklı said, "When it got dark, we continued the intervention with 3 night-vision helicopters. 118 land vehicles and nearly 500 of our colleagues are currently continuing the intervention."

For the Menderes fire, 5 aircraft, 12 helicopters, 56 ground vehicles, and nearly 360 of our personnel began intervention efforts immediately.

As night fell, operations are continuing with 48 ground vehicles and 207 personnel. We are talking about two areas close to each other, separated by 20 kilometers. From time to time, our coordination teams were able to redirect aerial or ground vehicles to the necessary locations. These numbers fluctuated between the two fires throughout the day," he stated.

"SELÇUK-KUŞADASI ROAD IS CLOSED"

Noting that the Selçuk-Kuşadası road will remain closed until there is no longer any danger, Yumaklı said, "The Selçuk-Kuşadası road is currently closed. We will announce when it reopens. Today, a total of 22 fires broke out in İzmir, 9 of which were forest fires and 13 of which were non-forest fires. I have been following each of them very closely from our fire management center throughout the day. I want to state here that in these days when we have reached a very high level of risk due to rising temperatures, we must absolutely be much more cautious and sensitive."

"INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED ARE IN CUSTODY"

Stating that they have previously noted that 90 percent of fires are human-caused, Yumaklı said, "It is possible to prevent all of this from reaching this point with simple precautions. Rising temperatures, increasing winds, and very low humidity make fighting these fires difficult, and we are all on high alert for the coming days, and even through July and August, until September 15."

We expect our citizens to show the utmost sensitivity in this regard. Investigations are currently ongoing regarding the causes of all these fires, with one exception. The fire that broke out in İzmir's Menderes district started in a hobby garden.

The individuals involved are currently in custody. While the human element is in a position to prevent many things, and could have prevented this situation with very simple precautions, we are still talking about being sensitive regarding forest fires in June 2024. This is a pity both for our country and its resources, and for the other living creatures with whom we share the world and life within this ecosystem," he emphasized.

"350 HECTARES IN SELÇUK AND 150 HECTARES IN MENDERES WERE AFFECTED BY THE FIRE"

Continuing his remarks, Yumaklı added the following:

"I would like to state that 350 hectares in Selçuk and 150 hectares in Menderes, İzmir, were affected by the fire. 'Affected area' does not mean that the entire area was burned. The extent of the damage will be announced by our colleagues once the fires are extinguished. I would like to thank our Governor, our law enforcement agencies, AFAD, and especially the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Interior. They responded to our requests for support forces and sent them to us quickly. Municipalities are also providing support with all their might to extinguish this fire."

Explaining that the interventions have shown positive effects as time passes, Yumaklı said, "However, while we are talking about wind speeds of 17-20 kilometers per hour here, the situation of sudden gusts, which we call intermittent winds, forces us to speak cautiously."

"WE WILL BE WITH OUR TEAMS"

Stating that they will wait for the teams to do their jobs, Yumaklı included the following statements:

"Our forestry organization and affiliated institutions, AFAD, and other organizations are working with excellent synchronization in such incidents. Right now, there are colleagues of ours there who are risking their lives and entering the flames to save even a single tree. We are here to help them do their jobs better. We will be with them."