İzmir Wildfire: Minister Says 500, Mayor Says 5 Thousand Hectares of Forestland Razed

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"The burnt area was announced as 500 hectares, but our findings indicate that an area over 5 thousand hectares has been burnt," İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer said in a statement about the forest fire in the Karabağlar region.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli previously said 500 hectares of forestland was razed in the fire.

Minister Pakdemirli, "Intense fire zone is the south of Çamtepe, Efemçukuru and Gödence villages. But there is nothing threatening these villages. Last night there were villages we had evacuated as a precaution. These things are back to normal, " he said.

Speaking at a meeting on Transport and Public Transport held by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Soyer announced that they will hold a municipal council meeting in the region where the forests burned.

Soyer said the forest fire in Karabağlar, İzmir, was one of the largest fires in the history of the city and that the Aegean Forest Foundation had launched a fundraising campaign.

Soyer said about the fire fighting:

"But it's not just about planting saplings. It requires the protection of the species of tree to be planted, the awareness of the citizens to take possession of it, their education, and the steps to be taken in many areas." (EMK)