In Kordelio, the residents of two districts were evacuated from their homes, while another village was evacuated from the opposite side of the mountain, towards Aidini. The Ministry of Health announced that 78 people had to be hospitalized from the fires in Izmir, of which only 29 remain in hospitals at the moment.
At least 900 citizens have been removed from their homes. Most from Bairakli and Sankakli provinces.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that 3,583 people were evacuated as a precaution due to the forest fires in Izmir, Aydinio, Bolu, Mugla and Manisa.
90 aircraft, 4,717 personnel and 1,218 vehicles are in service. As a precaution, a total of 3,583 citizens were transferred to safe areas.
In the province of Smyrna
2,489 personnel, 258 vehicles and 604 work machines were dispatched. Due to the fire near residential areas, 900 citizens in 8 different settlements were evacuated as a precaution.
In Bolu
Intervention efforts continue with 986 personnel, 384 vehicles and 371 work machines. A total of 413 citizens from 4 different settlements were moved to safe areas as a precaution.
In Manisa
Efforts to control the fire continue unabated with 583 personnel, 149 vehicles and 121 work machines. In Manisa province, 1,190 of our citizens were moved to safe areas.
In Aidinio
Intervention efforts continue with 35 personnel, 10 vehicles and 12 work machines. As a precaution, 550 citizens from 3 different settlements were moved to safe areas.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, İbrahim Yumakli, the cause of the fire in Kordelio was a fire lit for a picnic. 3 people were identified. Arrest efforts are ongoing. The fire in Odemisio was started by two children who were smoking in a grassy area.
78 people were affected by the forest fire in Izmir. 29 people are still receiving treatment in our hospitals. We wish our citizens a speedy recovery.
10 ambulances, 3 UMKE teams and 42 medical personnel were assigned to the region.
To all our citizens affected by the fire…
— Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health (@saglikbakanligi) August 16, 2024
In many cases, the flames spread to the roofs of the houses, the Turkish media point out, while according to the same reports, 17 houses have already burned down.
It was reported that 87 houses and 45 workplaces were evacuated in Yamanlar district of Karsiyaka district and there were no serious injuries or deaths. In the same area, the fire also spread to a recycling plant and several workplaces in an industrial area.
#izmir on fire!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Uhs2b03Z2v
— Desire Aphrodite Apple (@aarzuelma) August 16, 2024
Meanwhile, the municipality of Karsigiaka made a dramatic appeal to those who have construction machinery and water carriers to be ready to jump into the battle with the flames. As can be seen in the video, the roof of a building affected by the fire in the Zübeyde Hanım district of the Karsıyaka district of Izmir was burnt.
The mayor of the metropolitan municipality of Smyrna, Cemil Tugay, in his post early on Saturday said that no settlement is at risk.
“There are currently no fires in residential areas. Although there is danger, our fire brigades have taken precautions at the borders of the settlements. The fire continues in a large forest area. At the same time, there is a fire in a mountainous and forest area in our Bayındır region.”
Earlier the mayor of Smyrna had stated: “We are evaluating the situation in case the forest fire flares up again. All these buildings have been evacuated. We have over 700 staff. Almost the entire municipality is located here. Fire services cannot enter the forest. In the areas we cannot reach, the fire department has aerial firefighting vehicles. Aerial firefighting vehicles were in short supply today. There is no work other than our fire department. Although the fire has subsided in 3-4 areas, it continues. At the moment we have no shortage of water.”
Flames spread to a building in Karşıyaka, Izmir. pic.twitter.com/c2BvmO9KY0
— Pusholder (@pusholder) August 16, 2024
Fronts are also recorded in other regions of Turkey, such as Manisa, Bolu, Aydini, Mugla and Karabuk. The fire reached settlements in Seyirtepe!
Over 400 firefighters with dozens of vehicles and over 10 aircraft and helicopters intervened in Manisa during the day. In this area as well, neighborhoods were evacuated, a mosque burned to the ground, and a cemetery was damaged.
#Smyrna #turned #fiery #conflagration #houses #burned
