24.07.2025 18:37
The aerial and ground intervention continues for the forest fire in Eskişehir Seyitgazi and Afyonkarahisar, where we lost 10 martyrs. Villages in the areas that experienced significant damage have been evacuated, and emergency response tents have been set up. Some farmers have dug trenches with tractors along the borders of their fields to stop the flames. Here is the latest situation regarding the ongoing fires in Turkey...
In the Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir, while teams continue to intervene from the air to control the forest fire that has spread to Afyonkarahisar; forest workers are also making efforts to prevent the flames from spreading by creating barriers from the ground. On the other hand, the areas burned in the fire, which has been ongoing for 3 days, were captured by drones. The footage showed that the fire, which spread over a large area, left behind significant destruction. It was reflected in the drone camera that smoke continued to rise in some spots.
INTERVENTION WITH 4 AIRCRAFT, VILLAGERS HAVE STARTED DIGGING PITS
Four firefighting aircraft are intervening in the flames. Some farmers in the areas where the fire is advancing have opened pits along the field borders with tractors to prevent the flames from reaching them. Some farmers collected the hay bales they had previously stacked. Gendarmerie teams evacuated citizens from the fire zone.
INTERVENTION TENTS FROM UMKE
In the evacuated Sarıcaova village, a Mobile Coordination Center was established by AFAD. Afyonkarahisar Governor Kübra Güran Yiğitbaşı followed the works on-site and received information from the relevant institution officials. UMKE teams set up emergency intervention tents against possible adverse situations. Tents were also set up by AFAD in front of the Sarıcaova Village Headman's building.
ANIMALS HAVE ALSO BEEN EVACUATED
Due to the fire, Sarıcaova village was evacuated as a precaution, and citizens also evacuated their animals to nearby areas. Fire trucks and construction machinery stationed around the village are on standby against possible dangers.
Stating that the flames have reached their village, Sarıcaova Village Headman Yaşar Özdemir said, "There is a fire that has jumped to our village. It is currently being tried to be controlled in a way that will not put our village at risk. Since the wind changes direction at any moment, there are jumps to other areas. The fire is still ongoing. Our coordination teams have completely established control. All of our state's institutions are stationed here," he said.
Headman Özdemir stated that first the villagers and then the animals were evacuated after the fire started, saying, "As the fire risk decreases, our villagers have started to return slowly. Currently, precautions are at the highest level. We are working day and night with the authorities. Very serious measures have been taken in the forested area, and the teams are fighting with great dedication," he said.
LATEST STATUS OF THE FOREST FIRE IN BİLECİK
The forest fire that started in the Geyve district of Sakarya and reached Bilecik, which was largely brought under control yesterday morning, is being fought again due to the wind's effect. The fire, which started on July 20 in the forested area of Hacılar neighborhood in Geyve and crossed the border of Bilecik's Osmaneli district the next day, continues to be fought without interruption to bring it completely under control.
THE SMOKE OF THE FIRE REACHED BURSA
Previously, four villages had been evacuated due to the fire in the region. Two more villages were evacuated yesterday. The local people transported water to the areas where the fire was located with tankers. The smoke covering the sky was also seen from Bursa. The teams continue to fight the flames.
HIGHWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
The local people are also supporting the extinguishing efforts with water-filled tankers tied to their tractors. Due to the strong wind, flames have risen again in some areas, and the Sakarya-Bilecik highway, which was opened to traffic in the morning, has been temporarily closed again between Mekece and Vezirhan due to the forest fire. Those wishing to use the road are being directed to alternative routes. Due to the extensive fire, the villages of Kızılöz, Büyükyenice, Kazancı, Borcak, Medetli, Ciciler, and Selçik on the Bilecik side have been evacuated.
THE FIRE IN KARABÜK ON ITS SECOND DAY
The fires that broke out in the forested areas of Safranbolu and Ovacık districts of Karabük are being fought on their second day. The fires that started yesterday at 14:42 in the forested area of Çavuşlar village in Safranbolu and at 16:29 in the market area of Kışla village in Ovacık district are still being fought by the teams. In the area covered with dense smoke, the extinguishing efforts supported by helicopters during the day continued from the ground throughout the night. Efforts to extinguish the fires continue in the area where reinforcement teams have been directed. Karabük Governor Mustafa Yavuz, who inspected the fire areas yesterday, reported that 10 villages in the central, Safranbolu, and Ovacık districts were evacuated as a precaution.
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ONE PERSON WAS DETAINED
According to the information received, gendarmerie teams conducted work regarding the fire. The village resident B. K. (58), who the muhtar stated had called him while using alcohol shortly before the fire and was present in the area at the time of the fire, claimed that he might have started the fire, prompting the gendarmerie teams to take action. During the control conducted by the gendarmerie teams, it was determined that the suspect B. K. had a blood alcohol level of 2.77 promille. The suspect will be referred to the courthouse after the procedures at the gendarmerie.
LAST STATUS OF THE FIRE IN SAKARYA
Efforts continue uninterrupted to fully control the fire that started on July 20 in the forested area of Hacılar Neighborhood in Geyve district of Sakarya, which crossed the border into Osmaneli district of Bilecik the next day.
TRACTOR SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL PEOPLE
The local people are also supporting the firefighting efforts with water-filled tankers attached to their tractors. The images of tractor owners forming a convoy drew attention.
ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AGAIN
In the region where flames have risen again due to the strong winds, the Sakarya-Bilecik highway, which was opened to traffic in the morning hours, has been temporarily closed again between Mekece and Vezirhan due to the forest fire. Those wishing to use the road are being directed to alternative routes.
7 VILLAGES EVACUATED
Due to the extensive fire, the villages of Kızılöz, Büyükyenice, Kazancı, Borcak, Medetli, Ciciler, and Selçik on the Bilecik side were evacuated.
STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE REGARDING BASELESS CLAIMS
The Bilecik Governor's Office announced that false claims and content attempting to mislead the public, including voice recordings, have been shared on some social media platforms and digital media regarding the cause of the forest fire. It was emphasized in the statement that it is of great importance for citizens not to give credence to such speculative information and documents that aim to disrupt public order, and it was requested that "care should be taken against these unofficial and inaccurate contents, and only official statements should be trusted. Additionally, firefighting efforts against the fire continue uninterrupted in the field."
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