Fire hits forest northwestern province of Balıkesir
BALIKESİR
DHA Photo
Firefighters are continuing their efforts to contain a blaze in Balıkesir after a fire broke out in the Marmara province in the afternoon of July 30.Fire brigades were deployed to the forest near the Sarıfakılar village of the province’s Kepsut district, but have not yet succeeded in bringing the flames under control, private news channel NTV has reported.
The fire, which started at around 3 p.m. on July 30, immediately spread due to windy weather and hot temperatures, threatening inhabited areas near Sarıfakılar.
Two helicopters and two firefighting aircraft have been dispatched to the forested area, but the efforts were hampered by the excessive wind.
Despite efforts by firefighters, 20 square kilometers of forested area is still ablaze, said Kepsut Mayor İsmail Cankul, adding that three villages had been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The cause of fire has not yet been established.
