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Forest fires in Izmir and Aydin: Homes evacuated, roads closed

Forest fires in Izmir and Aydin have led to the evacuation of homes and the closure of roads. The fires, which are spreading rapidly due to the strong north wind (poyraz), are being tackled from both the air and the ground. Minister Yumakli announced that all fires in Izmir have been brought under control, noting that the fires in Izmir's Menderes and Cesme districts were human-caused and that suspects have been taken into custody.

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A fire broke out for reasons yet to be determined in a forested area near the Pamucak location on the Selcuk-Kusadasi highway.

Upon notification, 4 aircraft, 5 helicopters, 18 water tenders, 5 water supply vehicles, and 5 bulldozers belonging to the Izmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the scene.

It was reported that the fire started at 17:12 and the first intervention was carried out at 17:20.

Due to the fire, the Selcuk-Kusadasi highway was closed to vehicle traffic at the Arvalya location.

Efforts by the teams to bring the fire under control are ongoing. 

Forest fires broke out in succession in the Selcuk, Menderes, and Cesme districts of Izmir. While aerial and ground interventions continue for the fires in different parts of the city, it was reported that the fire in Selcuk has also spread to the Kusadasi district of Aydin.

The Izmir-Cesme road has been closed to traffic. The north wind is blowing very strongly, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

AYDIN GOVERNOR CANBOLAT: WE ARE WORKING TO BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL

While efforts to extinguish the fire that started in Izmir's Selcuk district and spread to the forest area in Aydin's Kusadasi district continue, Aydin Governor Yakup Canbolat traveled to the region with Kusadasi District Governor İbrahim Keklik to conduct inspections. Stating that the fire is spreading due to the wind, Governor Canbolat said, "We are in the region with all our teams. We are working to bring the fire under control."

A fire broke out for an unknown reason around 17:00 today in the forest area in the Pamucak locality of Selcuk. The flames spread to the forest area in Kusadasi due to the wind. The Mugla Regional Directorate of Forestry and the Aydin Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department teams have launched efforts to bring the fire under control. As the fire, which is being fought from the air and on the ground, spread to areas near residential zones in the Bayraklidede neighborhood, teams began evacuating citizens. Aydin Governor Yakup Canbolat also traveled to the region with Kusadasi District Governor İbrahim Keklik to conduct inspections.

In his first statement regarding the fire, Governor Canbolat said, "We are on the field with our teams. We are working on the intervention. Hopefully, we will bring the fire under control. We are requesting that our citizens living near the fire move to other parts of the city, especially to avoid being affected by the smoke. We have also closed the Selcuk-Kusadasi road to traffic. So far, there has been no loss of life reported to us."

MAYOR CERCİOGLU INSPECTED THE FIRE ZONE

While efforts to combat the forest fire that started in Izmir and spread to Aydin continue, Aydin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu went to the fire zone to closely monitor the operations.

Extinguishing efforts are ongoing for the fire that began in the Selcuk district of Izmir and spread to the forested area in the Kusadasi district of Aydin. While the flames are being fought from the air and on the ground, Aydin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu, who went to the region from the moment the fire first started, closely followed the efforts.

Meeting with Aydin Governor Yakup Canbolat at the crisis center established in the fire zone, Mayor Cercioglu stated that the extinguishing efforts are being carried out in a coordinated manner. Mayor Cercioglu, who also conducted inspections in the burned areas with her accompanying delegation, conveyed her 'get well soon' wishes to the citizens and said that all her teams are intervening in the flames.

Sharing on social media as well, Mayor Cercioglu included the following in her message: "We inspected on-site the forest fire that started in the Selcuk district of Izmir and spread to the mountainous areas of our Kusadasi district. We are continuing our interventions with all our teams. Get well soon to our citizens." she stated.

STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY REGARDING KUSADASI

Making a statement regarding the forest fire that spread to the Kusadasi district of Aydin, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated in its post, "Efforts to combat the fire are continuing with great devotion."

Extinguishing efforts are continuing without interruption to bring the forest fire, which started in the Selcuk district of Izmir and progressed to the Kusadasi district of Aydin, under control. As the flames reached the Bayraklidede neighborhood of Kusadasi, threatening residential areas, evacuation operations were carried out in the region. 

While aerial and ground interventions against the fire continue unabated, a statement regarding the fire was made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The post shared on the ministry's social media account stated, "Our fight against the fires in Izmir's Selcuk and Aydin's Kusadasi continues. Our forest heroes are continuing their ground intervention with great devotion."

FIRE IN KUSADASI APPROACHES THE DISTRICT CENTER

The forest fire, which started in the Selcuk district of Izmir and progressed to the Kusadasi district of Aydin, continues to grow by the minute.

As the flames reached the Bayraklidede neighborhood of Kusadasi and began to threaten residential areas, non-governmental organizations, as well as official teams, have mobilized to extinguish the fire.

In addition to official institutions, non-governmental organizations and volunteer citizens are also intervening in the fire to extinguish the flames approaching residential areas. Various construction companies operating in and around Kusadasi are supporting the extinguishing efforts with their heavy machinery.

 

FIRE IN İZMİR'S SELÇUK DISTRICT CAPTURED FROM THE AIR

While aerial and ground interventions continue for the fire that broke out in the Selçuk district of İzmir, the scale of the flames was captured by drone.

The scale of the fire, which is being fought by İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry teams with 4 aircraft, 8 helicopters, 44 fire trucks, 14 water tankers, and 5 bulldozers, was captured from the air by drone. The wind active in the region is causing the fire to spread.

A hotel near the fire zone and the staff quarters where hotel employees were staying were evacuated as a security precaution. Citizens and hotel staff were moved out of their accommodations along with their belongings. AFAD teams transported the citizens to a safe area by vehicle.

MENDERES

The İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry teams are responding to the fire that started in the Menderes district for reasons yet to be determined, using 4 aircraft, 8 helicopters, 25 fire trucks, 6 water tenders, and 4 bulldozers.

Three Cougar-type helicopters and two CH-47-type helicopters belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces have also been deployed to support the ongoing firefighting efforts in İzmir. Teams are continuing their efforts to bring the fire under control.

SOME HOMES IN THE DISTRICT EVACUATED

Due to the forest fire in the Menderes district of İzmir, the Çamönü neighborhood is being evacuated. The Gendarmerie has been making announcements in the area, requesting that citizens vacate their homes.

ÇEŞME

Following the fire in Menderes, İzmir, another fire broke out in Çeşme, and the highway was closed to traffic.

While aerial and ground intervention continues for the fire in Menderes district, which involves a total of 18 aircraft including 5 planes and 13 helicopters, news of another fire came from Çeşme. Aerial and ground intervention is ongoing for the fire that broke out in the rural area of the Germiyan neighborhood in Çeşme, involving 2 planes and 1 helicopter.

HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

Meanwhile, a fire also broke out on the roadside in the Kuşçular neighborhood of the Urla district. Due to the fire in the grassy area, the İzmir-Çeşme highway was closed to traffic. It was learned that teams are continuing to intervene in this fire as well, and long queues of vehicles have formed.

FIRE IN SELÇUK SPREADS TO KUŞADASI

A fire broke out in a pine forest in the Selçuk district of İzmir. As the fire spread to the forest in the Kuşadası district of Aydın, teams are intervening against the flames from both the air and the ground.

The fire started in the pine forest in the Pamucak area of Selçuk district around 17:00. Those who saw the smoke notified the forestry teams. The fire was fought with 9 aircraft, including 4 planes and 5 helicopters belonging to the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry, as well as 10 fire trucks, 5 water tankers, and 5 bulldozers. 

FOREST FIRE BEING FOUGHT WITH NIGHT-VISION HELICOPTERS

As the forest fire that started in İzmir and spread to Aydın enters its 7th hour, night-vision helicopters are continuing aerial firefighting efforts.

The fire, which broke out today around 17:00 in the forested area of the Pamucak locality in İzmir's Selçuk district, quickly engulfed the entire region and reached the Kuşadası district of Aydın. While hundreds of acres of land have burned, the firefighting efforts, which were carried out from the air and ground during the day, are continuing from the ground and with night-vision helicopters after dark. 

The firefighting efforts have entered their 7th hour in the region, where non-governmental organizations and volunteer citizens have mobilized alongside the teams to bring the flames under control. While water cannon vehicles (TOMA) belonging to the Aydın Provincial Police Department have been directed to the fire zone, teams from AFAD, UMKE, and various other institutions are carrying out intensive work in the area.

HOMES NEAR THE FIRE IN KUŞADASI ARE BEING EVACUATED

While efforts to extinguish the fire that started in İzmir's Selçuk district and spread to the forested area in Aydın's Kuşadası district continue, it was reported that residents in some homes in the Bayraklıdede neighborhood, which the flames are approaching, have been evacuated as a precaution.

A fire broke out for unknown reasons around 5:00 PM today in a forested area in the Pamucak district of Selcuk. Driven by the wind, the flames spread to the forested area in Kusadasi. 

The Mugla Regional Directorate of Forestry and the Aydin Metropolitan Municipality fire department teams have launched efforts to bring the fire under control. The Kusadasi Municipality is also supporting the firefighting efforts with 3 water tankers, 2 excavators, and all available personnel. As the fire, which is being fought from the air and ground, spread to areas near residential zones in the Bayraklidede neighborhood, teams began evacuating citizens as a precautionary measure. Citizens leaving their homes are being directed to the city center by officials.

MINISTER YUMAKLI: NO RESIDENTIAL AREAS ARE UNDER THREAT

Stating that the fires in Çeşme and Torbalı have been brought under control, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, "There is no residential center, unit, or facility under threat. There are no houses or other facilities that have burned down." he said.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı had arrived in the region to conduct inspections regarding the fire that started around 17:00 in the Pamucak area of İzmir's Selçuk district and made his first statement to the press. Continuing his work in the region as time progressed, Minister Yumaklı made further statements after his inspections. Stating that there were 11 fires of different types and sizes in 7 provinces today, including İzmir, Yumaklı said, "Six of these had been brought under control. As of the point we have reached since our last statement, we are providing the information that the fires in Çeşme and Torbalı have been brought under control. Interventions are currently ongoing in Balıkesir, Susurluk, and İzmir's Selçuk and Menderes districts. The energy of the fire in Susurluk has been significantly reduced. Interventions in the fires in Selçuk and Menderes are continuing, but they are also becoming easier with each passing moment." he spoke.

"THERE ARE NO HOUSES OR FACILITIES THAT HAVE BURNED DOWN"

Emphasizing that there is no residential center, unit, or facility under threat, Minister Yumaklı said, "I had mentioned that the Selcuk-Kusadasi road was closed as a precaution. There are no houses or other facilities that have burned down. There are no injured citizens. There were citizens affected by smoke, but their condition is not serious. Currently, there is no citizen in health danger." he added.

SOCIAL MEDIA WARNING

Addressing the disinformation on social media, Yumakli noted the following:

"During this time, we unfortunately also have to fight against disinformation on social media. While our colleagues are fighting selflessly here, we observe things being discussed that have no meaning or relation to Kusadasi or Selcuk. Nothing outside of the information we provide is true. We are already making our statements here."

"WE PROVIDED TRANSPARENT INFORMATION"

Continuing his remarks, Yumakli said, "We have heard some claims that 44 fires broke out in Turkey at the same time and that this created a vulnerability. We are talking about fires that broke out in different cities at different times throughout the day. I am talking about these fires starting in both forest and non-forest areas. We cannot understand why the information we provided in an extremely transparent manner is being distorted in this way. What is the goal? The state's intervention, timing, and coordination with all its institutions, AFAD, the governorship, and ministries, are continuing at a high level. I cannot understand the attempt to create an image of vulnerability over an issue that we cannot make sense of. It is not true, it is absolutely wrong. We should not be talking about these things at this time of night." he stated.

"THERE IS NO SITUATION THAT SHOULD CAUSE CONCERN"

Providing information that teams are continuing their efforts for both the ongoing fires in Balikesir's Susurluk and Izmir in the coming hours, Yumakli said, "We will continue to provide updates on these. However, there is currently no situation that should cause us concern. We have just conducted our inspections along this line as well. We will overcome these in a very short time. We express that we expect the highest level of sensitivity from all citizens. I always say that the real success regarding fires is preventing them from starting in the first place." he added.

TSK PROVIDED SUPPORT WITH 5 HELICOPTERS

The Ministry of National Defense announced that 5 helicopters belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are providing continuous support to the firefighting efforts in Izmir.

In a written statement issued by the Ministry of National Defense, it was stated, "3 Cougar helicopters and 2 CH-47 helicopters belonging to our Turkish Armed Forces continue to provide uninterrupted support to the firefighting efforts in Izmir."

IZMIR GOVERNOR ELBAN: THE ENERGY OF THE FIRE HAS DECREASED

Stating that the fires in Izmir do not pose a threat to residential areas, Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban said, "The energy of the fire has decreased in the Kusadasi direction and in other areas where the fire continues. It has not been brought under control, but it does not have the same intense fire severity as it did when it started." he said.

Intervention continues for the fire that started around 17:00 in the Pamucak area of Izmir's Selcuk district. Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban, who came to the fire zone to conduct inspections, made a statement to the press regarding the fires. Governor Elban said, "We have had 17 fires since this morning. 5 of these were smaller, but 12 are being intervened with aerial vehicles. Except for 2 of these, the other fires have been completely extinguished or brought under control.

We had 2 fires in different regions in Menderes. One is in Camonu, located in the Sasal region. The fire in the Sasal region has been brought under control. Although the fire in Camonu has not yet been brought under control, there is a significant decrease in the intensity of the fire. As of 17:12, a forest fire started in the Selçuk Pamucak area. 8 minutes later, our aerial vehicles quickly intervened in the forest fire. Since that moment, interventions have been continuing from both the air and the ground. We are intervening with 11 helicopters and 7 planes from the air, and over 20 fire trucks, water tankers, bulldozers, and our other vehicles from the ground." he spoke.

"THE FIRE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE UNDER CONTROL AT THE MOMENT"

Stating that AFAD health teams and other units are continuing their efforts, Elban said, "Our gendarmerie and police are ensuring road safety. As of now, we have no loss of life or injuries in either Pamucak or Menderes. In Menderes, there was a minor fire in a room or an extension of two houses located outside the residential area. Other than that, we have not suffered any major damage outside the forest. Thankfully, there does not appear to be a serious threat to residential areas here either.

Therefore, the fire currently ongoing in Pamucak is not one that would cause loss of life or injury, nor does it threaten residential areas. It does not appear to be under control at the moment. The fire started on the border of Selcuk. Consequently, the fire spread to the Kusadasi side as well. However, I just monitored the fire from the air with our regional director and the rest of the team.

The fire is being intervened in almost every hill and every region with at least one or two fire trucks and constant helicopter and aircraft traffic overhead. The intensity of the fire has decreased, especially on the Kusadasi side and in other areas where the fire continues. It has not been brought under control, but it does not have the same intense fire severity as it did when it first started." he stated.

"IT STARTED IN A SMALL FIELD"

Stating that the fire started in a small field, Governor Elban said, "The fire was likely caused by someone throwing a flame there or could have originated from work in a field. Our gendarmerie is continuing its investigation. There is no one in custody yet, but our multi-dimensional investigations are ongoing. Our helicopters and planes in the air generally stop firefighting operations when it gets dark because the systems are not suitable for night operations." he said.

CITIZENS EVACUATED

Meanwhile, a hotel located near the fire zone and the lodgings where the hotel staff stayed were evacuated as a security precaution. Citizens and hotel staff were moved out of their accommodations along with their belongings.

FIRE IN EDIRNE UNDER CONTROL

The fire that broke out in a field and spread to the forest in the Lalapasa district of Edirne has been brought under control.

The fire, which started for an undetermined reason in a harvested wheat field near Demirkoy village, spread to the nearby forested area due to the wind. The fire was brought under control through the intervention of the teams.

FOREST FIRES IN MANY PROVINCES

Following Izmir, forest fires broke out in Bursa, Balikesir, Kahramanmaras, Karaman, and Edirne. The fires were brought under control as a result of the interventions. 

INTERVENTION BEGAN AT DAYBREAK

Intervention with firefighting aircraft and helicopters resumed at the first light of day for the forest fires that broke out yesterday in the Menderes and Selcuk districts of Izmir.

A fire broke out in the forested area in the Karacadag region of Izmir's Menderes district around 13:00. Teams from the Izmir Regional Directorate of Forestry began responding to the fire, which started for an unknown reason, while it was still daylight, using 4 aircraft, 8 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 6 water supply vehicles, and 4 bulldozers. As darkness fell, night-vision helicopters and ground crews continued their efforts throughout the night.

For the fire that broke out around 17:00 in the Pamucak region of Selcuk district, teams from the Izmir Regional Directorate of Forestry made their initial interventions during daylight hours with 4 aircraft, 8 helicopters, 44 water tenders, 14 water supply vehicles, and 5 bulldozers. With the onset of darkness, night-vision helicopters and ground crews continued their efforts until the first light of day. With the break of dawn, firefighting aircraft and helicopters were redeployed for both fires. It was reported that the teams are continuing their struggle against the fires from four fronts, both from the air and on the ground.

FIRES IN IZMIR BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL: 1 DETENTION

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklıannounced that all fires that occurred in Izmir have been brought under control.

Minister Yumaklı also stated that the fires in İzmir's Menderes and Çeşme districts were human-caused and that suspects have been detained.