Devastating forest fires raging in various regions of Turkey in recent days have turned thousands of acres into ashthreatening settlements, property and valuable natural resources. Strong winds and difficult weather conditions make the work of extinguishing forces difficult, while thousands of firefighters and aerial means fight to limit the fiery fronts.
Indeed, from the extensive fires in the wider area, the ashes and the smell of fire reportedly reached Patmos.
Immediate intervention in flames
The forest fire that broke out in a forest in the Tarakli area of Sakaria was largely under control, but in some places it was rekindled due to the winds. Thanks to the immediate intervention with firefighters, helicopters and forestry groups, the flames were restored again after about an hour of effort. The forces continue their full extinguishing and surveillance work, while the renewal point was recorded with a drone.
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Strong winds make it difficult to extinguish
The effort to extinguish the large forest fire that has erupted between the Menderes and Sefericar areas of Smyrna continues. Stormy winds, reaching 70 to 117 kilometers per hour, make the work of firefighters significantly. Currently, a total of 1,113 people are operating on the front of the fire, with the help of 122 fire trucks, 74 aquifers and 84 earthmoving machinery.
Flights at Adnan Menderes Airport stopped due to a fire in Izmir Gaziemir. pic.twitter.com/ugzmcYOMtK
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“Our aircraft can throw up to 12 tonnes of water”
Smyrna Regional Governor Suleiman Elban, who is in the area and coordinates businesses, said: “There are very strong winds blowing here. Our aircraft can throw up to 12 tonnes of water. When wind intensity falls, some helicopters can also take off to assist in the throws. With our ground powers we try to limit the flames. So far we have completely evacuated three villages and continue the evacuations in the large districts of Cumhuriyet and Atatürk. There are no human casualties or injuries. Three citizens showed discomfort from tobacco and were transported to the hospital. The Minister of Agriculture and Forests is coming to Smyrna to take over the management of the situation itself. We suspect that the fire was caused by electric cables, but there is still no official finding. Unfortunately, the winds are not expected to reduce the winds of the night, which makes it very difficult for air -cost operations and favors the spread of fire. We ask citizens to be very careful – a little carelessness can cause a great forest disaster. The number of damage homes has not yet been recorded, because our immediate priority is to extinguish. “