Karabük has been burning for 83 hours! The magnitude of the fire is captured on camera.

27.07.2025 09:34

In Karabük, a forest fire that has been under control for 83 hours and is approaching the highway was captured by a drone. In the province where 18 villages have been evacuated, teams are working tirelessly to prevent the fire from reaching residential areas.

Efforts to combat the forest fire that has been affecting Karabük for 4 days continue. The flames, which reappeared in the evening hours, began to spread rapidly due to the wind. The fire, which descended to the Cumayanı village area, was captured by a drone. The burning areas are clearly visible in the footage.

THE HIGHWAY HAS BEEN OPENED TO TRAFFIC

On the other hand, the highway that was closed due to the fire was reopened to traffic after approximately 45 minutes of work.

18 VILLAGES EVACUATED IN KARABÜK

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, after receiving information from Karabük Governor Mustafa Yavuz at the Security and Emergency Situations Center, conducted an inspection in the fire area along with AK Party Karabük deputies Cem Şahin and Durmuş Ali Keskinkılıç.

Speaking to reporters in the Cumayanı village area, Tunç stated that the forest fire that broke out in the Safranbolu district of Karabük has been ongoing for 4 days.

Tunç expressed that they observed the fire has slightly eased at their location, stating, "Our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, was also in Karabük today. He made statements regarding the fire. He mentioned that 76 fires broke out across the country in one day. Currently, there are fires in 5 different cities, including Bursa, and Karabük is one of them."

Tunç emphasized the great effort to extinguish the fires, noting that all firefighting teams are on alert under the coordination of Governor Yavuz and AFAD, and efforts are being made to prevent the fire from reaching residential areas.

He reported that 18 villages in Karabük have been evacuated, stating, "Currently, our authorized friends have expressed that there is no risk at this point."

“MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO PREVENT THE FIRE FROM REACHING RESIDENTIAL AREAS”

Tunç pointed out that forest fires have been a significant problem for the country since the beginning of the summer season, and continued:

"Our forestry organization is making great efforts and warnings to our citizens. Access to forest areas has been restricted. It is essential to be careful in this regard. Burning stubble and all such actions are prohibited. Our citizens need to pay attention to these prohibited acts. Especially, efforts should be made to prevent fires from starting. Once a fire breaks out, it becomes very challenging to extinguish it due to the wind's effect.

In this context, since June 26, there have been fires in 33 provinces that have been subject to judicial investigations. So far, actions have been taken against 97 suspects in 33 provinces. Of the 97 suspects, 21 have been arrested, and judicial control measures have been imposed on 47. Judicial actions are being taken against those who cause fires due to negligence, carelessness, intentionally, or for various reasons."

Tunç emphasized that citizens need to heed warnings, stating that Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı has reiterated these warnings.

Tunç highlighted the great efforts of the forestry organization in extinguishing the fires, saying, "Our governor, our deputies are here, and we are with our citizens. Extensive measures are being taken to prevent the fire from reaching residential areas. We have received news regarding Bursa. Hopefully, these fires will be extinguished without causing harm to anyone. We wish everyone well."

STATEMENT FROM AFAD

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that 5,400 personnel, 119 aircraft, and 1,537 ground vehicles have intervened in forest fires occurring in various parts of the country.

In a statement made on the authority's social media account, it was noted that efforts to control, extinguish, and cool down the forest fires occurring in different residential areas across the country, especially in Karabük, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin, Ankara, and Kahramanmaraş, are being carried out intensively and continuously from the air and ground by all relevant institutions and organizations, primarily the Forestry Organization, within the framework of the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP).

The statement indicated that 5,400 personnel, 119 aircraft, and 1,537 ground vehicles are involved in the fight against the mentioned forest fires, and AFAD is closely monitoring the process with all its relevant units and teams, coordinating necessary actions and operations in cooperation with the General Directorate of Forestry within the framework of TAMP and the National Forest Fire Response Plan.

The statement emphasized that to prevent potential risks between July 20-26, citizens were moved to safe areas in 53 residential units during the fires that occurred in 10 provinces, and after the fires were extinguished, citizens returned to their residential areas.

It was reported that a total of 8,269 small and large livestock were moved to safe areas in the provinces of Afyonkarahisar, Bilecik, Eskişehir, Antalya, Uşak, Sakarya, and Karabük, and damage assessments were made for 56 houses, 4 barns, 9 haylofts, and 10 warehouses in Karabük, Sakarya, Bilecik, Antalya, Mersin, Uşak, and Kahramanmaraş, and necessary support was provided to the affected citizens.

Information regarding the forest fire that occurred yesterday in the Eymir Lake area of Çankaya district in Ankara was included in the statement, which noted:

"To monitor the intervention efforts on-site and support coordination, AFAD President Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan has proceeded to the incident area along with Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin. As a result of the intense efforts carried out by the teams on the ground and from the air, the fire has been brought under control. We wish ease to the heroes of the forest who are fighting to protect our green homeland and extend our condolences once again to the citizens affected by the fire."