New forest fires around Izmir, partially under control

Turkish authorities announced that new fires broke out and were partially controlled on Saturday evening, August 17, in Izmir province, Turkey's third-largest city in terms of population, located on the country's western coast.

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said forest fires broke out in the Menderes, Bayindir, Sur districts and around the coastal resort of Cesme, adding that firefighters were controlling the fire in Cesme.

The fire that has been threatening Izmir for three days has also been partially controlled, although fires continue to break out in forest areas.

“Our friends have put a lot of effort into fighting the fires. We can say that these fires have lost their speed.”Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said about the fires near Izmir and three other cities in the north and west of the country.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also announced that seven people suspected of starting forest fires in Izmir province have been detained.

The Turkish presidency announced that Azerbaijan sent a sea bomber to Türkiye to help its ally.

killed animals

Several buildings and vehicles were set ablaze in the industrial zone of Örneköy, a district on the northern outskirts of Izmir, AFP reported earlier today. Grey smoke was still rising behind the industrial zone as firefighters struggled to control the flames.

“It has been burning for three days. We don’t know what to do. Our workplace is in the heart of the fire. We have lost our livelihood.”Hanifa Arbil, 48, who works collecting plastic and paper waste for a living, told AFP: “Everyone is working hard. I am currently on my 36th hour of duty. (…). We can say that the fire is partially under control.”“We are working hard to ensure that everyone is safe,” said Argin Erol, a firefighter from Izmir.

Between Orenkoy and Sancakli, another area affected by the fire, the green peaks and pine forests are now charred. “It was a beautiful road, and there was the smell of pine everywhere. It makes me want to cry.”regretted Ayhan, the taxi driver.

Three helicopters, which remained on the ground overnight from Friday to Saturday due to strong winds, sprayed water on the peaks of Sancakli where the fires were still raging.

The fire killed a number of wild animals, cats and dogs, but no human casualties were reported. The Health Ministry said 16 buildings were damaged in the fire, injuring 78 people, 29 of whom were taken to hospital, and 900 residents of the five affected areas were evacuated overnight, according to Health Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

The biggest summer fire in Türkiye

“The total affected area is about 1,600 hectares.”The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yemkeli, announced, explaining that intervention at the point of the fire’s outbreak was difficult because of “steep valleys”.

As of Thursday evening, the disaster spread rapidly towards residential areas due to winds that reached speeds of 50 km/h during the day. Firefighters were sent to reinforce several cities in Turkey, while the army and police were mobilized.

Five other fires are still raging in forest areas in other cities in Turkey, including Bolu (northwest) and Aydin (west).

The Izmir fire is the biggest this summer in Turkey. In June, 15 people were killed in a blaze that broke out in a vegetation area near the southeastern city of Mardin.