Wildfires threaten 400,000 residents in Türkiye’s third largest city Izmir
Smoke and flames rise as aerial and ground firefighting efforts continue to extinguish the fire that broke out in the Yamanlar Karatepe area of Izmir's Karsiyaka district, Türkiye on August 16, 2024. (AA Photo)
A forest fire that started Thursday evening in Türkiye’s western Izmir province has rapidly spread because of strong winds, leading to evacuations and extensive firefighting efforts across several districts.
Winds reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour (49.9 miles) temporarily grounded aircraft in the Yamanlar Karatepe area of Karsiyaka district. Despite deploying five planes, 15 helicopters, 46 water tenders, 10 water supply vehicles, four bulldozers and numerous ground crews, the fire continued to spread, fueled by the maquis shrubland in the region.
According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) information, aerial and ground extinguishing efforts continue for the ongoing fire in Karsiyaka and Bayrakli regions.
Over 80 residents evacuated in Izmir
Evacuations were ordered in several neighborhoods as the fire spread, and an animal shelter in the area was also cleared. Roads leading to the affected zones were closed, with gendarmerie and police enforcing strict security measures to ensure public safety.
It was learned that 87 houses and 45 workplaces were evacuated, 16 houses were burned, and there were no serious injuries or loss of life except for those affected by smoke in the Yamanlar region.
Construction machines called to aid
It is reported that the energy of the fire has decreased but continues with the effect of the wind.
On the other hand, it is learned that the forest fire spread to the buildings, while Izmir Karsiyaka Municipality requested all construction equipment in the city to be mobilized to fight the fire.
Agriculture minister sets off for Izmir
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli departed from Ankara on Friday to visit the wildfire-stricken area in Izmir. Before this, Yumakli was in Canakkale to address a fire and later traveled to the Goynuk district in Bolu.
At the Fire Management Center in Dedeler Village, he received updates and assessed the situation firsthand.
