Continuing Efforts to Extinguish Fires in Turkey
Following several fires in various parts of Turkey, the fires in the provinces of İzmir, Bursa, and Muğla have been brought under control, and in the district of Gelibolu in Çanakkale Province, it was announced that the forest fire has been largely contained.
Çanakkale
In the district of Gelibolu, near the village of Ilgardere, the fire spread to vast areas, and both ground and aerial teams were dispatched to the scene. In one phase of the operation, 3 airplanes, 3 helicopters, 33 fire trucks, 2 firefighting vehicles, 3 bulldozers, 15 other vehicles, and 163 personnel were deployed. In later stages, this operational capacity increased to 9 airplanes, 6 helicopters, 143 ground operational vehicles, and 391 personnel.
As a precaution, 126 residents from the villages of Pazarlı and Ilgardere were evacuated to safe areas. To maintain communications, 2 mobile base stations were set up by 2 operators, and no power outages were reported in the affected villages.
Police water cannon vehicles (TOMA) and local residents’ water tankers also supported the operation. Heavy machinery and bulldozers were used to prevent the fire from advancing. Official statements reported that the Gelibolu fire was largely under control and that efforts to fully extinguish it were ongoing.
Muğla
In Muğla Province’s Yatağan district, in the Hacıveliler neighborhood, a fire broke out in a forested area. Upon receiving the alert, 5 helicopters, 2 airplanes, and firefighting vehicles, along with forestry teams, were dispatched to the scene. Later updates stated that the fire had been brought under control and cooling operations were continuing.
Bursa
In Bursa Province’s Orhangazi district, in the Gedelek neighborhood, a forest fire was reported. To contain the fire, 2 helicopters, 1 drone, 8 fire trucks, 8 operational and service vehicles, and 62 personnel were deployed. With both aerial and ground intervention, the fire was brought under control, and cooling operations in the area are ongoing.
Izmir
In İzmir Province’s Menderes district, in the Çile neighborhood, a fire first broke out in an agricultural field and then spread to the adjacent forest. In one update, it was reported that 8 airplanes, 9 helicopters, 25 fire trucks, 26 water supply vehicles, and 4 bulldozers were deployed; in another update, the figures were 8 airplanes, 8 helicopters, 35 fire trucks, 4 construction machines, and 239 personnel.
It was announced that the fire in the non-forested area of Menderes had been brought under control, while aerial and ground firefighting efforts in Gelibolu were continuing simultaneously.
Regarding the cause, gendarmerie investigations revealed that during the illegal construction of a prefabricated house, sparks from iron welding in a recreational garden ignited dry grass, causing the fire to spread to the forest. In connection with this, three individuals, including the welder, were detained, and proceedings at the gendarmerie are ongoing.
Malatya
In Malatya Province’s Doğanyol district, in the Burç neighborhood, a fire broke out in oak habitats. Firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene, and the fire was brought under control and completely extinguished. According to initial estimates, approximately 17 hectares of natural land were damaged in the incident.
