28.06.2025 07:30
The forest fire that has been ongoing for 20 hours in Sakarya has spread to the Gölpazarı district of Bilecik. Teams from the Forest Regional Directorate are intervening from both the air and the ground to extinguish the fire. The Sakarya Governorship has evacuated residents in the Aydınlar and Çamlık neighborhoods due to the fire approaching nearby settlements. The Turkish Armed Forces are also providing support in the fight against the flames.
The fire that broke out for an undetermined reason in the forested area of Hacıyakup Paşalar in Sakarya has reached the Gölpazarı district of Bilecik. The teams from the Forest Regional Directorate continue their efforts to extinguish the fire from the air and on the ground.
FIRE CAPTURED BY DRONE In the incident where all units have mobilized to bring the flames under control, the Sakarya Governorship evacuated citizens in the Aydınlar and Çamlık neighborhoods as a precaution due to the fire approaching surrounding settlements. The fire, which has been ongoing for hours, could not be brought under control even at night. The flames illuminated the darkness of the night. The fire area was captured by drone from the air.
300 PEOPLE EVACUATED Bilecik Governor Faik Oktay Sözer stated in a press conference at the coordination center that efforts to extinguish the fire are continuing intensively.
Stating that all teams have been intervening at the scene since the first moment, Sözer said, "We came to the scene together with the Forest Regional, AFAD, and our law enforcement units. Of course, as of now, we have no loss of life or property. This is very encouraging for us. As a precaution, we have relocated our citizens and their animals from approximately 10 settlements that could be affected to safe areas. Currently, we are hosting our citizens in our dormitories and accommodation areas in the district center. We have also placed the animals in our empty feeding areas and animal shelters." he stated.
HIGH POSSIBILITY OF CONTROL BY MORNING Sözer noted that support has also come from neighboring provinces and expressed that all teams are working selflessly:
"I hope that by morning, especially with the wind dying down at this hour, we will be happy. In this context, the possibility of bringing it under control by morning is very high. As long as conditions continue this way, our teams will work selflessly until morning, and I hope we will eliminate this danger. All teams from our neighboring provinces are on the ground. Currently, we have no problems in terms of vehicles. We are continuing our efforts to prevent the fire from progressing beyond a certain point by identifying suitable areas and deploying our vehicles there. I hope we will complete this by morning and eliminate this danger."
Stating that they have relocated approximately 300 citizens and nearly 500 large and small livestock belonging to these individuals to safe areas, Sözer said, "Most of our citizens can stay with their relatives and in their second homes, and they can also stay in our district center and dormitories as they wish. We have prepared their supplies. Our citizens are hopeful, but they are eagerly waiting for the fire to be extinguished and to return to their homes as soon as possible. Currently, we have no problems regarding accommodation, supplies, and relocation to safe areas for our citizens." he said.
Governor Sözer, along with Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Ferdi Erbakıcı, Forest Management Director Onur Vahdettin Akbulut, Provincial Police Chief Hakan Yılmaz, AK Party Provincial Chairman Serkan Yıldırım, and Provincial Health Director Ferhat Damkacı are closely monitoring the fire extinguishing efforts at the coordination center established in the region.