Izmir in flames: Fires continue, loss of life and property increases

Turkey is once again battling forest fires during the summer months. Driven by hot and dry weather conditions, flames are spreading rapidly in many regions. Some of the largest forest fires of this summer are currently taking place in Izmir, Aydin, and Antalya.

Forest fires that broke out in the Cesme and Odemis districts of Izmir have not yet been brought under control despite large-scale interventions where all teams have been mobilized. Due to the fires, the Ildir and Germiyan neighborhoods of Cesme and the Nohutalan neighborhood of the Urla district have been evacuated.

Many structures have been damaged in areas where the fire is spreading rapidly due to strong winds. Firefighting efforts are continuing incessantly from both the ground and the air.

IZMIR-CESME HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

The Izmir-Cesme Highway, which provides access to Cesme, one of the points where the fire is most intense, has been closed to traffic for security reasons. The road, which was reopened to traffic in the morning, has been closed to civilian vehicles again due to the course of the fire.

TRAGIC INCIDENT IN ODEMIS: BEDRIDDEN PATIENT LOSES LIFE

A bedridden patient who was trapped in a house due to the fire that broke out in the Odemis district has lost their life. Teams attempting to reach the fire zone announced that the house had been completely reduced to ashes and the lifeless body of the patient was recovered.

MINISTER YERLIKAYA: THERE IS MAJOR DAMAGE IN 3 CITIES

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the toll of the fires in a statement on his social media account. Yerlikaya shared the following information:

Izmir: 110 homes, 2 workplaces, and 1 barn were heavily damaged.

Bilecik: 69 homes, 3 workplaces, and 27 barns were burned.

Manisa: 5 homes have become unusable.

FIRES ALSO CONTINUE IN ANTALYA AND AYDIN

Fires that broke out in some rural neighborhoods of Antalya have not yet been fully brought under control. Similarly, interventions from the ground and air continue for the fires in Aydin.

WIND COMPLICATES THE STRUGGLE

Strong winds effective in the fire zones are causing the flames to spread rapidly and are making firefighting efforts quite difficult. Authorities are warning citizens not to approach the fire areas and to comply with evacuation calls.

STATE OF ALERT CONTINUES

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and AFAD teams remain on high alert against the fires. Efforts to bring the flames under control with helicopter and aircraft-supported interventions are continuing without interruption.

News Source: 12punto