Large fire in Kaz Mountains

BALIKESİR – Anatolia News Agency

AA photo

A fire is continuing to spread in the Kaz Mountains in the Havran district of the western province of Balıkesir. Nearly 500 hectares of forest have so far burned down and a number of villages have been evacuated.

Governor Ahmet Turhan said they were struggling to bring the fire under control because of the strong winds. Attacking the fire from the air with firefighting planes was also not possible, he added.

However, the regional director of forestry Recep Ateş said “firefighters have begun to respond to the fire effectively” as the wind speeds have started to decrease.

“There are some critical points which could be dangerous for us, but for now the situation does not look too bad,” he said.

Ateş added that nearly 500 hectares forest had been burned down so far. Olive groves and farm lands have also been affected by the fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown but according to official estimations a blaze in a farm could be the source.