Türkiye grapples with widespread wild fires: 7 detained as new blazes erupt

Türkiye has been grappling with wildfire disasters for two days. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported that three additional fires erupted on Saturday, bringing the total to eight active fires.

He noted that the intensity of four of these fires has been reduced and confirmed that the blaze in Izmir’s Menderes district was caused by an energy transmission line.

Additionally, an Azerbaijani firefighting plane is scheduled to arrive at Adnan Menderes Airport by 11:00 p.m. local time.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed that 19 forest fires have occurred nationwide from August 15 to 17 and updated on arrests related to these fires.

7 suspects detained over wild fires

7 suspects have been detained: three in Izmir’s Tire district, two in Odemiş, one in Bayındır, and one in Karsiyaka. Additionally, two out of four individuals detained in Bolu’s Goynukk district have been arrested, with the remaining two under judicial control.

Regarding the Azerbaijani firefighting plane, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his support in the firefighting efforts, emphasizing the strengthened bond between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Wild fires continue: Izmir, Usak, Manisa

A new fire has broken out in Izmir’s Menderes district, with flames visible in Sasal district. Izmir Forest Regional Directorate teams tackle the blaze from both air and ground.

Meanwhile, efforts continue to extinguish the fire on Yamanlar Mountain in Karsiyaka, and a fire in Usak’s Eşme district has spread from grassy to forested areas. Fire trucks, vehicles, and helicopters have been deployed to combat the flames.

The fire in Esme has reached the Manisa border, prompting the evacuation of the village of seyhdavutlar in Sarıgol district as a precaution.