Forest fire in 5 districts of Izmir! Minister Yumaklı in the region.

Efforts continue to control the fires in the districts of Çeşme, Menderes, Menemen, Selçuk, and Torbalı in İzmir.

According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials, 16 fires broke out in the city in the last 24 hours. 11 aircraft, 27 helicopters, 171 fire trucks and heavy machinery, and 972 personnel were deployed to intervene in the fires. 11 of the fires have been brought under control.

FIRE CONTINUES IN 5 DISTRICTS

Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that the fight against forest fires continues in İzmir and said, "11 aircraft, 27 helicopters, 171 fire trucks and heavy machinery, and 972 personnel were dispatched to the ongoing fires in Selçuk, Menderes, Torbalı, Menemen, and Çeşme in İzmir."

MINISTER YUMAKLI IS GOING TO THE REGION

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced on its social media account that Minister Yumaklı has departed for İzmir to inspect the fires on-site.

SELÇUK

A fire broke out in the forested area in Selçuk-Kuşadası highway in Pamucak location for unknown reasons. Upon notification, 4 aircraft, 5 helicopters, 18 fire trucks, 5 water tankers, and 5 bulldozers from İzmir Forest Regional Directorate were dispatched. It was reported that the fire started at 17:12 and the initial intervention was carried out at 17:20.

HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

The Selçuk-Kuşadası highway was closed to vehicle traffic due to the fire in the Arvalya location. After the intervention, controlled transportation started.

HOUSES, HOTELS, AND SHELTERS EVACUATED

Due to the fire progressing towards Kuşadası with the effect of the wind, 2 hotels and houses in Bayraklıdede Neighborhood were evacuated. It was reported that those staying there were directed to other hotels in the area. In addition, the animal shelter belonging to Selçuk Municipality was evacuated. The animals were sent to the shelters of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.

ÇEŞME

A fire broke out in the shrubbery area in Germiyan Neighborhood of Çeşme, İzmir for unknown reasons. Upon notification, 1 aircraft, 1 helicopter, 7 fire trucks, and 1 water tanker from İzmir Forest Regional Directorate were dispatched. It was reported that the fire started at 14:34 and the initial intervention was carried out at 14:47. Efforts to bring the fire under control are ongoing.

HIGHWAY CLOSED FOR 20 MINUTES

A fire also broke out in the grassy area next to the İzmir-Çeşme Highway in Urla. The lane going from İzmir to Çeşme was closed to traffic for about 20 minutes due to the fire. After the intervention, the road was reopened to traffic.

MENDERES

A fire broke out in the forested area in Karacadağ location of Menderes, İzmir for unknown reasons. Upon notification, 5 aircraft, 13 helicopters, 35 fire trucks, 7 water tankers, and 4 bulldozers from İzmir Forest Regional Directorate were dispatched. The Regional Directorate of Forestry reported that the fire started at 12:53 and the initial intervention was carried out at 13:05.

The teams are trying to bring the fire under control with aerial and ground intervention. Firefighting teams from various municipalities and TOMA vehicles affiliated with the Provincial Police Department are also providing support to the Regional Directorate of Forestry.

CITIZENS MOBILIZED

Some houses in the hobby garden-style areas in the forested area were evacuated due to the fire. Gendarmerie teams sounded sirens in the area where the houses were located and asked the citizens to leave the area. Some citizens with houses in the area took precautions against the fire by spraying water on their roofs, vehicles, and lands. Some greenhouses were damaged due to the flames.

Ahmet Coşar, one of the citizens who sprayed water on his land, told AA correspondent that they could not understand how the fire started and that it started in the İnönü location and spread to the surrounding area.

NEIGHBORHOOD EVACUATED

Çamönü Neighborhood, which is close to the flames, was evacuated. Gendarmerie teams asked the citizens to move quickly through announcements. It was observed that some municipality teams were working on stray animals.

5 HELICOPTERS ASSIGNED TO TSK

In the statement made from the Ministry of National Defense's social media account, it was stated that "3 Cougar type helicopters and 2 CH-47 type helicopters belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces were assigned to support the ongoing fire extinguishing efforts in Izmir."

"TEAMS' INTERVENTION CONTINUES"

Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek stated in a written statement: "The intervention of the teams from the Forest Regional Directorate and the fire brigade, with the support of our municipality teams, continues against the fire that broke out in the afternoon and affected our neighborhoods of Değirmendere, Çamönü, and Ataköy. Hopefully, this disaster will end soon. Get well soon to all my fellow citizens."