The fight against flames continues on Monday morning in the province of Izmir, western Turkey, the authorities said. Housing and industrial zones have been affected since Sunday by a forest fire.
IMAGO/Anadolu Agency
“The heroes of the forest fought tirelessly against the fire overnight. Our air forces joined the fight from the first light of day. We are continuing our efforts to control the fire, “said the Directorate General of Forests on Monday by evoking the fire in the district of Seferihisar, south of Izmir province.
According to the images broadcast by the Turkish private channel NTV, around twenty houses burned in the district of Seferihisar, without making victims because they had been evacuated. Triggered around 1:00 p.m. (noon in Switzerland) between the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes, the forest fire quickly spread due to winds which reached between 70 and 117 km/h, said the governor of Izmir Süleyman Elban on Sunday.
These strong winds prevent helicopters from intervening. Only two bombers of water, as well as a large team on the ground try to turn off the flames, said the governor. “Some of our planes tried to take off, at the risk of crashing. I say that to illustrate the severity of the situation, “in the province of Izmir, the Minister of Agriculture and Forests said on Sunday, Ibrahim Yumakli.
During the weekend, “there were 77 fires in our country, including 53 which started out of the forest. (…) Among these, the fires in Akhisar (west), and in Kuyucak and Doganbey (in the province of Izmir) are still raging. These three fires are serious. Our teams have mastered the others thanks to intensive efforts, “said the minister. Izmir airport, which had temporarily suspended its flights on Sunday, resumed its activities, Turkish media reported.
