28.07.2025 11:49
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey inspected the ongoing efforts to extinguish the fire between the Orhaneli and Harmancık districts on-site. A suspect caught with a gasoline canister in Orhaneli was taken into custody, while Bozbey pointed out the suspicion of sabotage, stating, "It is concerning that it started simultaneously in six different areas."
The forest fire that started between the Orhaneli and Harmancık districts of Bursa and has been partially brought under control continues to have an impact due to the wind. Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, along with CHP Provincial Chairman Nihat Yeşiltaş and CHP Bursa Deputy Hasan Öztürk, went to the Harmancık district to inspect the firefighting efforts on-site. Meeting with Orhaneli Mayor Ali Osman Tayır and Keles Mayor Ali Doğru, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey exchanged ideas about the current situation. Later, Mayor Bozbey and his companions moved to the AKOM vehicle and assessed the situation by observing the area via drone.
5-6 NEIGHBORHOODS COMPLETELY EVACUATED
Stating that Bursa has been struggling with fires for over 24 hours, Bozbey conveyed his condolences to both Turkey and Bursa. He mentioned that the fire, which started yesterday in the Yakuplar neighborhood of Orhaneli, has spread to the Harmancık side, and that 5-6 neighborhoods have been completely evacuated due to the fire threat, with one neighborhood also set to be evacuated if a risk arises.
"STARTED SIMULTANEOUSLY AT 6 DIFFERENT POINTS"
Expressing that it is concerning that the fire in the Harmancık district started simultaneously in 6 different areas due to the wind, Bozbey said, "This situation worries us. Bursa is experiencing one of its greatest tragedies in recent years. We are facing a natural disaster. We are losing a lot of land due to the fire spreading with the wind. While part of the fire is advancing towards Harmancık, another part is moving towards Dursunbey. The fight against the fire is being carried out hand in hand by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, public institutions, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and citizens. We are on the ground with about 245 vehicles and around 550-600 personnel. Our teams have been on duty in the field for 26 hours. Intense efforts are being made to extinguish the fires in both the mountainous area and the Gürsu-Kestel region. Despite our interventions, we are saddened that we cannot stop the fire," he said.
Bozbey also reported that the firefighting efforts in the Gürsu region are ongoing without interruption, and he expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives in an accident involving a tanker that rolled over while coming from outside the city to participate in the firefighting efforts.
"WE WILL START THE GREEN TRANSFORMATION PROJECT"
Mayor Bozbey stated, "I thank every citizen who participated in the efforts to extinguish the fire. Our entire community in Bursa has demonstrated an example of solidarity and unity in this fire as well. Our fire department and AKOM organization are fighting on the ground in coordination with our governorate and AFAD. Everyone is fulfilling their duties and responsibilities to the fullest. After cooling the burned areas, we will initiate a green transformation project under the leadership of our governorate. We will support this by planting 5 trees for every one that was burned," he said.
Bozbey and his companions also visited the citizens who were evacuated and temporarily placed in the Harmancık Sports Hall to convey their best wishes. Mayor Bozbey stated that the residents of the neighborhoods would be accommodated in dormitories and that all needs are being met quickly.
BURSA IS IN A FOG
On the other hand, the scale of the fire in Bursa became clearer with the first light of the morning. With the dawn, aerial interventions to the fire resumed. Helicopters and firefighting planes were dispatched to the region. Ground teams, which worked tirelessly throughout the night, made intense efforts to control the flames. However, due to the lack of wind, the rising smoke created a fog-like layer in the area. The smoke clouds left behind after the fire were captured by drone from the air.
THE SKY IS COVERED WITH SMOKE
The smoke rising from the ongoing fires in Bursa has covered the city. The smoke, which descended upon Bursa like a cloud mass, was captured in this aerial view.
SABOTAGE SUSPECT: CAUGHT WITH A GASOLINE CAN
While the fight against the forest fire, which reignited yesterday after being partially brought under control in the Meyran area of the Orhaneli-Harmancık road, continues, a 30-year-old man named Ufuk A., who was found with a gasoline can in the back of his vehicle in the forest area, was detained upon complaints from citizens. It was claimed that he was a former soldier who was dismissed as part of a FETÖ investigation. The locals attempted to lynch Ufuk A., but he was rescued by the police team.