30.06.2024 08:10
The forest fires that started in the districts of Selçuk and Menderes in Izmir yesterday are being attempted to be brought under control through aerial and ground intervention. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, said "Interventions to the fires in Selçuk and Menderes are ongoing, but it is getting easier with each passing moment. There is no settlement, unit, or facility under threat."
The forest fires that started in the districts of Selçuk and Menderes in Izmir are being attempted to be brought under control through aerial and ground intervention.
NIGHT VISION HELICOPTERS ON DUTY
The intervention of the teams on the ground continued throughout the night in the forested area on the Selçuk-Kuşadası road where the fire broke out for unknown reasons. The aerial intervention, which was interrupted in the evening due to the darkness, resumed with helicopters and planes with the first light of the day. 3 night vision helicopters were involved in the extinguishing efforts throughout the night.
INTERVENTION CONTINUES
The aerial intervention was resumed with the daylight in the forested area in the Karacadağ location of the Menderes district.
STATEMENT FROM MINISTER YUMAKLI
In his statement to journalists at the crisis center of the forest fire in Selçuk district of Izmir, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that there were 11 fires with different sizes and high risks in 7 provinces on June 29, and 6 of them were brought under control.
"FIRES IN ÇEŞME AND TORBALI UNDER CONTROL"
Yumaklı shared the information that the fires in Çeşme and Torbalı were also brought under control and said, "Currently, interventions are ongoing in Balıkesir Susurluk, Izmir Selçuk, and Menderes where we are currently located. The energy of the fire in Susurluk has relatively decreased. Interventions continue in the fires in Selçuk and Menderes, but our colleagues are finding it easier with each passing moment. There is no threat to any residential area, unit, or facility." Yumaklı reminded that the Selçuk-Kuşadası road is temporarily closed and stated that there is no burned house or any other facility, and although some people were affected by the smoke, there is no health risk.
REACTION TO DISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Yumaklı stated that they had to fight against disinformation on social media during this period and said, "Evil is everywhere. While our colleagues are fighting tirelessly, we cannot understand why unrelated issues about Kuşadası or Selçuk are being discussed. We observe these. Nothing is true except the information we provide. We heard some claims that there were 44 fires occurring simultaneously in Turkey and that this created a weakness. We are talking about fires that occurred in different cities at different times during the day. We cannot understand why this transparent information is being distorted, what is the purpose? The coordination between all the institutions of the state, municipalities, and other public institutions, and if necessary, private institutions, is at a very high level. I cannot understand the creation of an image of weakness through an issue that we cannot approve or understand. It is not true. Absolutely wrong. I cannot convince myself to call it a lie."