A forest fire that broke out in the Urla Yağcılar neighborhood in İzmir, Turkey has been brought under control, according to a statement made by the Governor of İzmir, Süleyman Elban. Governor Elban mentioned in a social media post that the fire has been contained and cooling efforts are still ongoing. He also expressed gratitude to all the personnel who worked diligently and selflessly to bring the fire under control, confirming that there were no casualties in the incident. Governor Elban extended his well wishes to all the residents affected by the fire.
Despite being brought under control approximately 19 hours after it started, efforts by the teams in the region are still ongoing to fully extinguish the fire. One person has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. The forest fire in the Yağcılar neighborhood started around 4:33 PM yesterday and was first responded to by teams from the General Directorate of Forestry at 4:47 PM.
As a result of the fire, 15 people were evacuated by Coast Guard boats on the beach side, and 135 residents were evacuated from 29 caravans and 7 houses as a precautionary measure. It was mentioned that sparks from a charcoal production facility in the area caused the fire, and the owner of the facility, identified as İ.A., was taken into custody.
Efforts to contain the fire continued throughout the night, with both aerial and ground operations being carried out. Two personnel from the General Directorate of Forestry, who were affected by smoke, received on-site treatment in an ambulance. The situation is now under control, but teams are still working to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished and any potential risks are mitigated. Governor Elban highlighted the importance of the swift response and dedication of the personnel involved in containing the fire.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of taking precautionary measures to prevent forest fires and being prepared to respond effectively in case of emergencies. The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are urging the public to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Governor Elban emphasized the need for cooperation and solidarity in the face of such challenges, noting that collective efforts are essential in protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of communities. The successful containment of the fire in İzmir is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the emergency response teams and serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in dealing with natural disasters.
