Yesterday, on July 29, as a result of simultaneous forest fires that broke out in Turkey's provinces of Muğla, Antalya, Balıkesir, and Çanakkale, hundreds of citizens were evacuated, roads were closed, and people were moved from a number of social facilities to safe areas. TRT Haber reported this.
In the Seydikemer district of Muğla province, a fire that started on agricultural land spread to a forest area within a short time. According to the provincial governorate, 835 rescue workers, 5 aircraft, 18 helicopters, 93 firefighting vehicles, and other special equipment were deployed to extinguish the fire.
Due to the fire risk, 202 citizens living in 121 households and the Seydikemer State Hospital were evacuated. 45 patients being treated at the hospital were moved to medical facilities in the city of Fethiye. Additionally, electricity supply in the area was temporarily suspended, and the Seydikemer–Antalya highway was closed to traffic.
In the Altınoluk neighborhood of the Edremit district in Balıkesir province, a fire that broke out near the ancient city of Antandros approached residential areas. For this reason, residents are being evacuated from some summer houses as a precaution. New fires were also reported in the Ayvalık and Havran districts.
A fire that broke out in the Yazır neighborhood of the Kumluca district in Antalya province spread rapidly due to strong winds. As a result, the D-400 highway on the Antalya–Kumluca route was closed in both directions. According to local mayor Bahadır Güneş, residents of the neighborhood are being gradually moved to safe areas. Tourists were also evacuated under the supervision of the gendarmerie.
Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that fires in the Kaş district of Antalya province and the Nazilli district of Aydın province are being brought under control. However, firefighting efforts are still ongoing in Seydikemer (Muğla), Kumluca (Antalya), and the Edremit and Gömeç districts of Balıkesir.
Additionally, forest fires also occurred in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province and in the Sarıcaeli village near the provincial center. In Ayvacık, 5 helicopters and dozens of special vehicles were deployed to extinguish the fire. In Sarıcaeli village, a private nursing home was fully evacuated due to the fire risk.
