Çanakkale wildfires: Blaze contained, maritime traffic resumes

 Photos: AA

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Efforts are underway to combat a wildfire that erupted in a wooded area in Çanakkale, northwestern Turkey, and rapidly spread due to the influence of strong winds.

The blaze originated in the Damyeri region on Tuesday and has extended over a stretch of 15 kilometers due to the force of the wind. Both aerial and ground operations are being employed to bring the fire under control.

Ground teams are receiving support from airborne units that are replenishing water resources from the sea to douse the flames. Numerous volunteers are also lending their assistance to the firefighting endeavors.

Minister of Agricuture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the fire was contained around noon. 

In response to the situation, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced a temporary suspension of maritime traffic in the Dardanelles (Çanakkale) Strait, starting from 03.00 a.m. local time (GMT+3), due to the ongoing fire. At around 12.30 p.m., the traffic resumed in one direction.

Meanwhile, Ali Yerlikaya, the Minister of Interior, shared that 97 individuals have been affected by smoke inhalation as a result of the forest fires in Çanakkale. He also stated that the treatment of 37 citizens is ongoing. In addition, evacuation measures have been taken for the safety of residents, with 1,428 individuals from 349 households relocated from the surrounding areas. (TY/VK)