Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announces the latest situation regarding forest fires

With rising temperatures across Turkey, forest fires have reached alarming levels. The fires that began yesterday in the Seferihisar and Menderes districts of İzmir continue to spread due to the effect of the wind.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı updated the public on the current status of the firefighting efforts.

Yumaklı stated the following:

'The energy of the fire has been reduced, but there are 3 points where the intensity of the wind is increasing even further at the upper levels; our teams are focused on these points. If we can succeed very quickly, we can say that there is nothing to fear regarding this fire. Meteorological data indicates that wind speeds will be around 40-50 kilometers per hour, but with gusts, the effect could reach 70-80 kilometers per hour.

I had previously stated that 4 villages and two neighborhoods were evacuated as a precaution. Teams are currently conducting damage assessments. So far, we have 21 citizens who have reported being affected by the fires. All of them have returned to their homes after receiving outpatient treatment. However, we are not the only ones living in this ecosystem. There are many living creatures here; unfortunately, we are talking about this 12-kilometer line and a width that reaches 5 kilometers in some places. Unfortunately, there are also living creatures affected here. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the cause of the fire.'

'PLEASE DO NOT LIGHT FIRES IN THE FOREST'

There are very heavy penalties for causing a forest fire, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and we will have zero tolerance for this; we will certainly follow up on it. Please do not light fires in the forest, and do not throw cigarette butts. The impact of climate change is greater than ever. Do not burn stubble. Do not burn your trash in the garden, whether in forest or non-forest areas!'