01.07.2025 09:12
With the rise in temperatures across the country, forest fires have broken out in many areas. The fires at six locations in İzmir, Manisa, and Hatay, where interventions continued throughout the night, are still ongoing. While many homes in İzmir have become uninhabitable, aerial footage captured by drones has been heartbreaking. Meanwhile, in Hatay, a high-voltage line engulfed in flames exploded like a bomb, causing widespread panic.
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Forest fires that have erupted across the country in the last week continue. According to Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı, 5 of the 11 fires reported yesterday have been brought under control. The remaining 6 fires are ongoing in İzmir's Seferihisar and Menderes districts, Manisa's Akhisar, Kula, and Ahmetli districts, as well as in Hatay's Antakya.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced that there are individuals affected by the fires, providing information about the treatment status of 46 people. Memişoğlu stated that one person's condition is serious, while the other 45 are being treated in hospitals.
IZMIR
Three days ago, a fire broke out in the forested area between Kuyucak in Menderes and Orhanlı in Seferihisar, İzmir, for an undetermined reason. The fire started around 1:00 PM on Sunday in the forest between Kuyucak in Menderes and Orhanlı in Seferihisar. Many teams were dispatched to the area following reports from nearby residents. While aerial and ground interventions were initiated, the wind speed occasionally reached up to 110 kilometers per hour. Teams are continuing their efforts to bring the fire under control in areas affected by strong winds.
AFFECTED AREAS CAPTURED FROM THE AIR
In the fires that have been ongoing for about 3 days, many houses have become unusable. Some roofs of houses have been damaged, and the area was captured by drone footage after the fire.
5 NEIGHBORHOODS EVACUATED
İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban stated that 5 neighborhoods in Seferihisar have been evacuated due to the forest fire between Menderes and Seferihisar, and that the inability of most aerial vehicles to operate due to strong winds negatively affected the fight against the fire.
Elban stated that there are 1113 personnel in the ground team, along with 122 water tankers, 74 water trucks, and 84 construction machines involved in the intervention. Elban noted that there are multiple fires of varying sizes across the city, that they have brought Urla and Çeşme under control, and that the fire in Gaziemir is still ongoing, adding that there are no reported injuries or fatalities due to the fires, although a few citizens were affected by smoke without life-threatening conditions. Elban mentioned that the fire is believed to have originated from an electrical wire, but that information regarding this matter is not yet clear.
HATAY
The fire that started for an undetermined reason in the forested area of Karaali Neighborhood in the central district of Antakya, Hatay, quickly grew due to strong winds. Upon notification, the Forest Regional Directorate and Metropolitan Municipality fire teams, along with 4 firefighting helicopters and 414 vehicles including water tankers, were dispatched to the area. Teams took precautions against the potential spread of the fire, which broke out near residential areas. Additionally, damage occurred in the cemetery of the affected neighborhood. Efforts to bring the fire under control are ongoing with aerial and ground interventions.
THE POWER LINE EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB
The high voltage line engulfed in flames in Alahan Neighborhood exploded like a bomb. During the explosion, which occurred while a citizen was recording with their mobile phone, a loud noise was heard from the transformer.
GOVERNOR MASATLI: WE EVACUATED AROUND 1800 CITIZENS
Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı stated that the fire that started in the forested area of Karaali Neighborhood also affected the neighborhoods of Oğlakören and Üçgedik. Masatlı noted that all teams have been on the ground since the moment the fire broke out, saying: "Our biggest disadvantage has been the extremely strong and erratic winds, especially in the last 2 days. We saw the same thing in the fire today. The wind was erratic and strong, creating whirlwinds that triggered the spread of the fire in our region. Nevertheless, we quickly evacuated the citizens living in those areas. So far, we have evacuated around 1800 citizens from 3 neighborhoods and have emptied about 160 houses in this regard. On the other hand, around 60 of our houses have also been damaged."
Masatlı stated that the fight against the fire is being carried out with 4 helicopters from the air and 414 vehicles from the ground, with approximately 1000 personnel involved in the efforts.
"200 HOUSES HAVE BEEN EVACUATED"
Later, around 3 AM, Governor Masatlı provided a new update, stating that with the onset of darkness, aerial vehicles have been taken out of operation, while ground interventions continue uninterrupted.
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Masatlı, who reported that more than 450 vehicles and over 1,250 personnel are on duty in the field, stated that the number of households evacuated in the neighborhoods of Karaali, Oğlakören, and Üçgedik is 200. He mentioned that the evacuated citizens are being hosted in dormitories and that all their needs are being met. Masatlı said, "The wind speed has dropped to 12-15 kilometers in some places, while at times it has reached 35-40 kilometers. This affects the course of the fire. We are currently in the Alahangöl area. Our teams continue to intervene from the ground to contain the fire. Our work will continue until morning, and we are waiting for the wind to decrease."
MANİSA
A fire broke out for an undetermined reason in the forested area near the Ahmetli district of Manisa. Upon notification, teams from the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the area. Efforts to control the fire are ongoing. A fire also broke out for an undetermined reason in the forested area of Encekler Neighborhood in Kula district. Upon notification, teams from the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the area. Interventions from the air and ground continue to control the fire.
The fire that broke out on June 28 in the Akhisar district of Manisa continues on its 3rd day. Due to strong winds, the fire's impact area is rapidly spreading, and it has also reached Şehitler Village, which is connected to Akhisar. Flames are affecting the forested area surrounding the village, and the Regional Directorate of Forestry and fire brigade teams have quickly intervened. While the teams are intervening from the ground, they are using the backburn technique to prevent the fire from reaching the village area, continuing their efforts to ensure that the fire, which is effective in the upper parts of the forest, does not descend to the lower areas.