04.07.2025 12:11
The singer Çelik, who could not remain indifferent to the forest fires in İzmir, went to the disaster area in an off-road vehicle. Calling for help by saying, "The damage is great," the artist shared photos from the area with the note, "I will carry water if necessary, or transport the injured."
On July 2nd, around 1:30 PM, a fire that started in an agricultural area near Ildır Mahallesi in the Çeşme district of İzmir quickly spread to the forested area due to strong winds. Upon noticing the fire, local residents alerted the authorities, and a large number of planes, helicopters, water tankers, and personnel from the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the area. The neighborhoods of Germiyan, Karaköy, Nohutalan, and Reisdere, which were threatened by the flames, were evacuated as a precaution. The İzmir Police Department also supported the firefighting efforts with water cannon vehicles.
FLAMES REACHED URLA: ZEYTİNELİ NEIGHBORHOOD EVACUATED
As the fire could not be contained, it reached the Zeytineli Neighborhood of Urla district on July 3rd. As a security measure, the neighborhood was evacuated. While ground teams continued their efforts throughout the night, aerial intervention resumed with the first light of dawn. On the third day, at 10:30 AM on July 4th, the fire was finally brought under control. The intervention process lasted a total of 44.5 hours.
FIRE SPREAD TO NEIGHBORHOODS
While the fire in Çeşme was brought under control, heartbreaking news came from another district of İzmir, Ödemiş. A forest fire that broke out in the Tosunlar Neighborhood, near Manastır, spread to residential areas. The fire, which grew due to strong winds, spread to the neighborhoods of Suçıktı, Üzümlü, Ortaköy, and Karadoğan. These areas were also evacuated as a precaution.
FIRE CLAIMED LIVES
During the firefighting efforts, a forest worker lost his life. Additionally, a bed-bound citizen died during the fire. The flames reaching residential areas deepened the tragedy. Many houses and barns were damaged in the fire.
FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS CONTINUE UNABATED
The firefighting efforts involve 2 planes, 9 helicopters, 35 water tankers, 9 water supply vehicles, and 4 bulldozers from the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry. Ground teams worked tirelessly throughout the night; with the dawn, aerial vehicles also joined the firefighting activities.
ÇELİK AT THE FIRE AREA: "I AM READY TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY"
The fire disaster also mobilized the art community. Famous singer Çelik went to the fire area with an off-road vehicle during the night. In a post from Ödemiş, he called for support, saying, "The destruction is really great. We are ready to do whatever we can. I set out with my off-road vehicle; if necessary, I will carry water or the injured."
INTERVENTION CONTINUES IN ÖDEMİŞ AND BUCA
Meanwhile, the fire that broke out in İzmir's Buca and Ödemiş districts has not yet been brought under control. Teams are continuing their efforts both from the air and the ground. The struggle, complicated by meteorological conditions, has become a symbol of the nationwide efforts against forest fires.