500-Hectare Forestland Blazed in İzmir

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Forest fires broke out in Turkey's Mediterranean provinces of Muğla and Hatay and the Aegean province of İzmir yesterday (August 18).

Making a statement about the forest fires, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli has announced that the İzmir fire broke out in the district of Karabağlar and spread to Seferihisar. Pakdemirli has informed that around 500-hectare forestland has been blazed in İzmir.

According to the Minister, the fires that broke out in Urla Yağcılar and Karabağlar has reached the borders of Seferihisar. While the Urla fire could be put out, the Karabağlar file has not yet been taken under control.

Indicating that the Karabağlar fire does not pose any threat to the neighboring villages, Bekir Pakdemirli has stated that the situation of the villages which were previously evacuated has been normalized.

The Minister has also shared the information that 13 fire extinguishing helicopters are currently on duty in Karabağlar and this number will be increased after the fire is completely taken under control. "We are struggling against all fires with 24 helicopters, 280 water sprinklers, 35 bulldozers and 1,150 personnel", Pakdemirli has indicated further.

Fire hits 100-decare area in Bodrum and Milas

Vice General Director of Forestry Mehmet Çelik has also made a statement about the ongoing fires and stated that the fires in Bodrum and Milas in Muğla will also be taken under control in a few hours.

300 people, including 200 forest workers and fire brigade personnel, and nine fire extinguishing helicopters have intervened against the fires in Muğla.

"The Bodrum fire is effective in a 70-hectare area and the one in Milas is effective in 30-hectare area. We will take the fires in both districts completely under control in a few hours", the Director has informed further.

Fire in Hatay completely under control

Another fire broke out in the district of Antakya in Hatay. The fire could be completely taken under control.

The fire erupted in the forestland between the neighborhoods of Karlısu and Kisecik for causes yet unknown. After the people called fire brigade crews, the teams of Antakya Department of Forestry were referred to the area.

The teams continued their fire-extinguishing efforts for 6 hours. While 5-hectare forestland has been blazed in the Hatay fire, the teams could take the fire under control. The efforts to cool down the remnants of the fire were still continuing as of 11.57 a.m. today.

The causes of the fire are also being investigated. (EG/SO/SD)

* Source: AA; Images: Twitter