Forestland in İstanbul, Balıkesir and Kütahya Razed in Forest Fires

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Forest fires broke out in Burgazada Island in İstanbul, Marmara Island in Balıkesir and Tavşanlı district in Kütahya yesterday (August 12).

CLICK - Forest Fires in Balıkesir and İstanbul

While both fires in Burgazada and Marmara Islands could be taken under control late in the night, the fire extinguishing efforts were still continuing in Tavşanlı, Kütahya as of 9.44 a.m. today.

While 10-decare forestland has been razed in Burgazada fire, 60 houses have been evacuated in Marmara Island of Balıkesir.

'Fire in Burgazada taken under control'

Speaking to Habertürk news channel, Adalar Mayor Erdem Gül has stated that the fire in Burgazada has been taken under control, adding that helicopters are currently trying to cool down the remnants.

The fire that broke out in Marmara Adalar district of Balıkesir has also been taken under control. The cause of the fire that erupted near residential areas in the district has not yet been identified.

Citizens affected by the smoke

The fire brigade crews were supported by five fire extinguishing helicopters and 11 water sprinklers in their efforts to put out the Marmara Island fire. 60 houses have also been evacuated in the meanwhile.

While some citizens were affected by the smoke, it has also been reported that several animals have also been negatively affected by the fire.

Speaking about the incident, Marmara Adalar District Mayor Süleyman Aksoy has told journalists that the fire that broke out at around 1 p.m. yesterday has been taken under control.

Indicating that the efforts for cooling down the remnants of the fire are continuing, the Mayor has also stated that the fire did not broke out as a result of a sabotage. "It is said that the fire erupted after a citizen of ours burned the haying crop at the garden of his house", Aksoy has added.

Sharing the information that three houses have been burned down and a considerable number of animals have lost their lives, the Mayor has also indicated that a 70-80-hectare area has been razed in the fire. "Everything is OK on the island. The fire in Marmara Island is now completely under control, we do not have any problems", he has concluded his remarks.

'30 people wounded in fire'

Balıkesir Governor Ersin Yazıcı has also made a statement about the fire in Marmara Island. He has shared the information that 30 people have been wounded in the fire and 100 animals have lost their lives.

Indicating that two fires broke out in Balıkesir yesterday, one in Dursunbey and the other in Marmara Island, Governor Yazıcı has stated that as the fire in Dursunbey was much bigger, seven fire extinguishing helicopters intervened against the fire there while four helicopters joined the fire extinguishing efforts by air in Marmara Island.

Fire in Balıkesir's Dursunbey district

As indicated by Balıkesir Governor Yazıcı, another forest fire erupted in the Alaçam Neighborhood in the district of Dursunbey.

As the fire grew quickly, 22 water sprinklers, four bulldozers, four water tankers and seven fire extinguishing helicopters of the Dursunbey Department of Forestry intervened against the fire.

While fire brigade crews from neighboring cities and districts were also referred to the region to join the fire extinguishing efforts, Dursunbey District Mayor Ramazan Bahçıvan has told state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter that the cause of the fire is being investigated.

"An area of around 20-25 hectares has been damaged. We got afraid as it was near residential areas, but the teams have taken the necessary precautions", Governor Bahçıvan has added further.

Fire in Tavşanlı as well

Another fire has erupted in the district of Tavşanlı in Kütahya. The efforts to take the fire under control was still continuing as of 10.12 a.m. today.

Fire extinguishing helicopters and sprinklers have been referred to the area to intervene against the fire that broke out near Eğrigöz village.

Several fire brigade crews are working to extinguish the fire. Making examinations in the region where the fire erupted, Kütahya Governor Ömer Toraman has spoken to journalists there.

Stating that the fire has become less effective as the temperatures drop and humidity increases at night, Governor Toraman has shared the information that nine bulldozers, four greyders and 39 water sprinklers are currently making efforts to take the fire under control.

He has also added that according to latest reports, a 80-hectare area has been affected by the fire in Tavşanlı. (EMK/SD)

* News and photographs: Anadolu Agency (AA)