There have been around 136 forest fires along with 128 rural fires in the last 10 days around Turkey.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Bekir Pakdemirli stated that they had “used unmanned aerial vehicles to detect 62 fire zones during this period”. He also confirmed that twelve new forest fires broke out in seven provinces over the weekend; however they are now all under control.
He continued by saying that “firefighters have battled five fires in Canakkale province, two in Elazig province and one each in the provinces of Isparta, İzmir, Kahramanmaras, Kastamonu and Kutahya.”
It is worth noting that ninety percent of fires are due to human error and that people who visit forests should be very careful to as not to leave any Barbecues smoldering and to ensure that all cigarettes are extinguished properly.
The fire in Menderes which spread to Ahmetbeyli in Kusadasi Bay was clearly seen by everyone here in Kusadasi and the Cile-Ahmetbeyli section of Kusadasi-Menderes highway was closed to double-way traffic.
There were 230 personnel, two amphibious aircraft, 10 helicopters and five bulldozers which have been battling the flames. Three people have also been injured, sources said.
The minister also paid condolences to those who have died in the line of duty stating that “last week two people lost their lives in Izmir and another one yesterday.
