Forest fire in Ankara.

26.07.2025 15:59

A fire broke out around Eymir Lake in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara, the cause of which has not yet been determined. Teams are continuing to intervene in the flames. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated in his remarks regarding the fires, "We have completely brought under control 7 fires in 6 of our provinces."

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A fire broke out in the forested area around Eymir Lake in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara for an undetermined reason in the morning hours. Upon citizens' notifications, a large number of police and fire teams were dispatched to the area. While security measures are being taken in the region, teams continue to work to extinguish the fire.

MINISTER YUMAKLI SHARED THE LATEST STATUS

Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı, inspected the areas where the fire continues from the air by helicopter in Karabük. After the inspection, Yumaklı made a statement at the Mobile Fire Management Center stationed at Cemaller Forest Depot, sharing the latest status regarding forest fires in the country.

"7 FIRES IN 6 OF OUR PROVINCES ARE COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL"

Minister Yumaklı stated, "We have completely brought under control 7 fires in 6 of our provinces, including Muratpaşa Güzeloba in Antalya, Söğüt in Alanya, Sivaslı in Uşak, Kozan in Adana, Acıpayam in Denizli, Akhisar in Manisa, and Ovacık Kışla in Karabük." Yumaklı mentioned that cooling efforts will continue in these areas.

Yumaklı conveyed his best wishes to the citizens affected by the fires, stating that all institutions are working tirelessly to combat forest fires. He emphasized that they will continue to work with the same seriousness in both prevention activities and rapid intervention in fires.

Minister Yumaklı thanked all the forest heroes, institutions, and organizations, as well as the citizens who have always supported them in the fire-affected areas.

"OUR FIGHT CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN SAFRANBOLU"

Yumaklı reported that there are ongoing fires and continued: "Our fight continued all night in the Safranbolu district of Karabük. I mentioned that the terrain conditions are very broken, rugged, and filled with canyons. Efforts continued throughout the night to ensure that both our machinery and water tankers could reach these areas as much as possible. We wanted to start aerial interventions in the early hours of the morning, but heavy fog and smoke did not allow this. Currently, aerial interventions are very localized. However, the wind is in our favor, and it is reported that it will reach a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour during the day. Therefore, we will not have any problems, and we will continue the fight. We will carry on this struggle today with 2 planes and 23 helicopters. Not all aerial vehicles will be seen in the air because they operate under certain principles and planning."

Yumaklı stated that ground interventions continued throughout the night for the fire in Antalya Gazipaşa and that aerial interventions began with the first light of the morning, noting that 2 planes and 11 helicopters have been assigned to this fire, and ground interventions are also ongoing.

"WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO EXTINGUISH THESE FIRES"

Minister Yumaklı reported that a forest fire started in the Silifke district of Mersin at 01:50 after providing information last night, stating: "In fact, this is a fire that started outside the forest area and spread to the forest. We frequently mention this. Almost more than half of our interventions occur in areas that start outside the forest area. A large part of them consists of fires that spread to the forest - if they are very close. Therefore, both the Gazipaşa fire and this fire in the Çaldırlı neighborhood of Silifke in Mersin have another significance for us. These areas are under very strong winds. Our friends have really continued their interventions throughout the night, paying attention to this. We have meteorological data indicating that this strong wind will continue during the day. We are currently talking about three active fires in Karabük Safranbolu, Antalya, and Mersin, namely the Gazipaşa and Silifke fires. At this moment, there is no fire threatening residential areas."

Recalling his previous statement that a record high temperature was recorded for our country, Yumaklı said, "We had expressed that temperatures would rise even more today and tomorrow, based on the statements of our General Directorate of Meteorology. Our forecast is that meteorological events, including severe heat and drought along with winds, will continue until the first week of August, exceeding the 28th (of July). We always say that we have the capacity to extinguish these fires. However, what challenges us is the occurrence of multiple fires in different areas within the same province or the emergence of a fire elsewhere while we are intervening in areas we consider risky, which divides our forces. Therefore, we will remind you of this again. I emphasize this point especially. What challenges us the most are the fires that start outside forest areas and spread to the forest."

"OUR FRIENDS ARE ON ALERT"

Yumaklı pointed out that there is a significant risk in the northern Aegean and southern Marmara today, concluding his remarks as follows:

"Our friends are on alert. Of course, we need to be on standby in all our regions. I want to repeat my reminder from last night. I kindly request all our citizens to exercise extra sensitivity regarding any activities that may cause a fire in all 81 provinces of our country. I want this sensitivity for our green homeland. I want it for all my brothers who are fighting here. I trust the common sense of our citizens. We will continue to provide information in the same way. I hope we can focus solely on these three fires. Without receiving news of another fire, we can continue to provide good news regarding these fires."

Minister Yumaklı was accompanied by Karabük Governor Mustafa Yavuz, AK Party Karabük deputies Cem Şahin and Durmuş Ali Keskinkılıç, as well as officials from AFAD and the forestry organization.