The same nightmare in the great İzmir fire: How many fires have been caused by power poles in 2024, including Urla?

The fires in İzmir have stirred the entire country. İzmir, Bolu, and Aydın are the areas where the flames have spread the most and caused the most damage.

The fires occurred one after another, and everyone shed tears for the lungs of Turkey.

İzmir was surrendered to the flames. On Friday, August 16, 2024, the day the fire began, we at 12punto spoke with both the Mayor of Karşıyaka and the Mayor of Bayraklı. After the mayors explained that the fire was being fought with only two helicopters, we ran the headline "İzmir has been abandoned to the flames."

You can click the link below to read our news report:

https://12punto.com.tr/gundem/yangin-sehre-ulasti-iki-helikopter-yetmedi-baskan-12puntoya-anlatti-izmir-alevlere-terk-edilmis-47526

As the fires in İzmir continue, the Governor of İzmir has now announced that the fire in Urla was caused by power lines. So, how many nightmares like this have we witnessed in 2024?

Let's take a look back...

İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban stated that a residential complex consisting of 440 homes was evacuated due to a wildfire that broke out in a scrubland area near the Balıklıova neighborhood of Urla district.

Elban stated that the fire was caused by sparks from a downed power line in the area.

Noting that the region is primarily scrubland, Elban spoke as follows:

“The fire spread very rapidly due to the very hot and dry weather, combined with strong winds. Despite the teams' quick intervention, the fire unfortunately spread to a certain extent. There is a summer housing complex in the area consisting of 440 residences; it does not threaten any other residential areas outside of this site.”

İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban was pointing to “power lines” as the culprit for the Urla fire.

DIYARBAKIR AND MARDIN FIRES

When it comes to fires caused by power lines, the first thing that comes to mind for 2024 are the fires that broke out on June 20 in the Çınar district of Diyarbakır and the Mazıdağı district of Mardin, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people...

In the investigation conducted regarding the cause of the fire, an expert committee also examined the fire zone and prepared a report. The report stated that the fire, which started in the Köksalan neighborhood, was caused by a conductive wire wrapped in place of a fuse on a fused disconnect switch pole; the wire snapped, ignited the grass on the ground, and the fire spread over a wide area due to the effect of strong winds.

SPARK FROM AN ELECTRIC POLE IN ECEABAT

A forest fire broke out near the village of Büyükanafarta in the Eceabat district of Çanakkale on Thursday, August 15, 2024. The fire spread over a wide area due to the effect of the wind. Upon notification, 8 aircraft, 12 helicopters, 51 water tenders, and 780 personnel affiliated with the Çanakkale Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the region.

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced that, upon the request of the General Directorate of Forestry, one S-70 type helicopter from the 4th Army Aviation Regiment Command was dispatched to the region. As a precautionary measure, the 57th Infantry Regiment Martyrs' Memorial and Conkbayırı on the Gallipoli Peninsula were closed to visitors. The fire, which has now been brought under control, destroyed 700 hectares of forest land. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that the fire started due to a spark from an electric pole by the roadside.

40 ACRES REDUCED TO ASHES

A fire broke out in the village of Değirmenözü in the Göynük district of Bolu on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The fire, which was reported to have started from an electric pole, affected a large area and reduced approximately 40 acres to ashes. The fire's spread to the forested area increased the destruction in the region.

ELECTRICITY-RELATED FIRE IN ÇORUM

In the Dodurga district of Çorum, a fire on July 13, 2024, caused by sparks falling from an electricity pole, burned 2 decares of grassy land. The Dodurga Municipality fire department teams, with the help of citizens, extinguished the fire before it could spread to the wooded area.

VILLAGERS' PROTEST OVER ELECTRICITY POLES

A fire broke out in the village of Mehmet Çelebi, located in the Azdavay district of Kastamonu, on Friday, July 5, 2024. It was announced that the fire originated from electricity poles. Support was provided to combat the fire both from the air and on the ground. Village residents stated that a fire caused by electricity poles had also occurred in previous years, though it was on a smaller scale. Citizens demanded that the wooden electricity poles be replaced.

FIRE IN MUDURNU

A forest floor fire broke out in a wooded area in the Mudurnu district of Bolu on April 25, 2024, caused by an electric pole.

The fire occurred in a forested area in the village of Taşçılar, located in the Mudurnu district. According to the information obtained, a malfunction occurred in the main power line passing through the forested area. Due to the malfunction, sparks from the utility pole ignited dry grass. The dry grass caught fire and spread through the forest. Upon noticing the smoke, citizens reported the situation to the 112 Emergency Call Center. Following the report, fire trucks affiliated with the Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the region. The fire trucks and citizens who arrived in the area shortly after intervened in the fire. The ground fire was extinguished through early intervention.