In the face of an ongoing heatwave across Turkey, the country is grappling with devastating forest fires. Dedicated teams have been deployed to contain and extinguish the fires that have been raging for two consecutive days. With the risk of rising temperatures and the potential for new blazes, urgent measures are being taken to combat this crisis.
Over the past few days, Turkey has witnessed several forest fires across different regions. The southeastern provinces of Hatay and Mersin, as well as Çanakkale in the northwest, have been particularly affected. The fires are believed to have been triggered by the prevalent heatwave sweeping across the southern and western parts of the country.
According to local media reports, the fire in Hatay’s Belen district started when two individuals accidentally sparked flames while attempting to clear reeds in their garden. The fire quickly spread to the surrounding forest area, fueled by strong winds. As a result, residents in the Mufti, Soğukoluk, and Benlidere neighborhoods were evacuated for their safety.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı visited the affected areas at night to assess the damage and oversee the firefighting efforts. Yerlikaya emphasized that a judicial investigation has been launched to hold those responsible accountable for causing the fire.
Given the geographical vulnerability of the affected regions to strong winds, authorities have been closely monitoring the situation, utilizing aerial footage from armed drones. While the intensity of the fire has slightly diminished, significant efforts are underway to prevent further spread and extinguish the flames promptly.
Evacuations have been conducted to ensure the safety of citizens in at-risk areas. However, unfortunately, seven houses and four vehicles have been damaged. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) will initiate necessary relief work in the affected regions.
The firefighting operations have been relentless, with planes, helicopters, and ground personnel from the General Directorate of Forestry, as well as other public institutions and local residents, working diligently for two consecutive days to combat the fires. As of now, 16 out of the 19 fires that broke out on Sunday are under control.
In addition to Hatay and Mersin, another significant wildfire has been raging in Mersin’s Gülnar district. The fire, which began in Gülnar’s Kavakoluğu neighborhood, quickly spread to Korucuk, Çavuşlar, and Tepe neighborhoods due to strong winds. Extensive efforts have been made to control the fire, including evacuating 373 homes, although four houses have already been reduced to ashes.
Çanakkale has also witnessed a separate forest fire that originated in Kızılkeçili village and rapidly spread to Kemel and Yukarı Okçular villages. Despite continuous efforts, the fire remains uncontrolled after more than 20 hours.
In response to the escalating fire risk due to soaring temperatures and low humidity, Deputy Interior Minister Münir Karaloğlu and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Veysel Tiryaki visited the affected areas in Çanakkale to assess the situation. Karaloğlu emphasized the need for caution among citizens to mitigate the risk.
As of the latest updates, the forest fires in Mersin’s Gülnar, Mezitli in Adana, and Çanakkale have been brought under control. However, new fires have been reported in Adana’s Karaisalı district and Şanliurfa in the southeast.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç revealed that investigations into the forest fires have identified seven suspects. Two have been arrested, while two others are under judicial control in Izmir’s Urla. Two suspects have been detained in Hatay’s Belen, and an investigation is ongoing against one suspect in Manavgat.
Turkey is currently facing a significant challenge as it combats forest fires across multiple regions amidst a nationwide heatwave. Prompt action has been taken to control and extinguish the fires, with dedicated teams working tirelessly to safeguard affected communities. The government, along with various institutions and the local population, remains committed to minimizing the damage caused by these devastating fires.
