Türkiye contains 304 forest, rural fires in 4 days

İZMİR

Türkiye's Communications Directorate reported Monday that firefighting teams have tackled 306 forest and rural fires nationwide in the past four days, successfully extinguishing 304.

The directorate lauded the response teams for their rapid and effective actions, referring to them as "heroes of the forest."

"Our heroes of the forest have intervened in 306 forest and rural fires over the past four days. The teams, working tirelessly from both the air and the ground, have successfully extinguished 304 of these fires," the statement said.

Firefighters in Türkiye are battling to contain wildfires that continue to ravage several regions, with significant efforts focused on Izmir and Mugla provinces.

In Menderes district of İzmir, firefighters have been responding to a blaze that broke out in a forested area two days ago. The fire, which started in the Şaşal neighborhood, has required extensive firefighting efforts, with both air and ground teams deployed.

Overnight, firefighters engaged in land operations, and as dawn broke, aerial support, including five aircraft and eight helicopters, was deployed to assist in extinguishing the flames.

The İzmir Forestry Regional Directorate has mobilized 18 water tenders and seven supply vehicles to combat the fire.

Fortunately, a decrease in wind intensity has made the fire more manageable.

Meanwhile, in Yatağan and Ula districts of Muğla province, firefighting teams are also managing blazes. Fires have emerged in the Yava neighborhood of Yatağan and the Karadere area in Ula. Here, air and land vehicles, including three helicopters equipped with night vision technology, have been deployed throughout the night. An amphibious aircraft from Azerbaijan is also assisting efforts to extinguish the fire in Ula, having dropped a total of 114 tons of water on the fire zone in 12 sorties.

Türkiye is particularly prone to wildfires during the hot and dry summer months. High temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds create conditions that allow fires to ignite and spread rapidly.

Regions like the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines are especially vulnerable due to dense woodlands and shrublands.

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of wildfires in Türkiye have increased.

The government has enhanced firefighting strategies, acquiring advanced equipment, deploying aerial units and by building strong response frameworks, Türkiye seeks to minimize the damage caused by wildfires.