Turkey is ablaze... Fire in İzmir spreads to Buca, highway closed

Following the fire disasters that occurred in the Çeşme, Buca, and Ödemiş districts of İzmir at the beginning of July, the Aegean region has once again been surrendered to the flames. This time, the fire broke out in the Gökdere neighborhood of İzmir's Bornova district. Due to strong winds, the fire grew rapidly and spread to the borders of the Buca district.

MOBILIZATION BY AIR AND LAND

Teams affiliated with the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were put on alert to intervene in the fire. 4 firefighting aircraft, 7 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 7 water supply vehicles, and 4 bulldozers were dispatched to the region. The teams are conducting an intense struggle from both land and air to bring the flames under control.

Not only official teams but also the local people have become one heart against the fire. While farmers are supporting the teams by carrying water with their tractors, riot control vehicles (TOMA) from the Police Department have also arrived on the scene to intervene in the fire.

FIRE PARALYZES HIGHWAY

The impact of the fire was not limited to forests. As a precaution in the area where the flames were approaching, the Gökdere direction of the İzmir-Aydın Highway, specifically the highway exit at the Işıkkent ramps, was temporarily closed to traffic. Traffic was diverted toward Buca and Torbalı. While there were serious disruptions in transportation, security forces directed drivers to alternative routes.

FLAMES DAMAGE VEHICLES AND STRUCTURES

As the fire approached residential areas, some structures and vehicles were also damaged. It was reported that a parked car and a single-story structure were affected by the fire. Teams are trying to create an intense buffer line to prevent the fire from spreading into the neighborhoods.

BURSA, KARABÜK, AND ESKİŞEHİR ALSO UNDER FIRE

Simultaneously with the fire in İzmir, news of disasters is coming from different provinces of Turkey. The forest fire that has been ongoing for days in Karabük has entered its sixth day. In the fire in Eskişehir, sad news arrived: 5 AKUT volunteers and 5 forestry workers lost their lives.

News Source: 12punto