Statement from Karacabey about the Fethiye fire: 'Approximately 200 hectares of land were damaged'

After the forest fire in Fethiye that started in Gökçeovacık Neighborhood and advanced to İnlice Neighborhood lasting about 20 hours was brought under control, Forest General Manager Bekir Karacabey made statements to the press at the fire zone. Karacabey stated that the teams reached the area very quickly from the moment the fire started, saying, "The forest fire started in Gökçeovacık at 12:14 yesterday. We made our first intervention to this fire in just 6 minutes, at 12:20." Karacabey drew attention to the extremely risky weather conditions for forest fires at the time the fire started, stating, "The fire started under very critical meteorological conditions where the temperature was over 40 degrees, the wind was blowing from the north at at least 25 kilometers per hour, and the humidity dropped below 12 percent in some areas."

Karacabey stated that initially 19 aircraft, 108 ground teams and about 600 personnel were involved in the intervention, adding that, in addition to the Forest General Directorate teams, municipalities, State Hydraulic Works, Highways, other public institutions and volunteers supported the extinguishing efforts under the coordination of the Muğla Governor's Office.

Regarding the assessment of the fire damage, Karacabey said that damage assessment studies are ongoing and that according to initial evaluations, approximately 200 hectares of forest area were affected by the fire. He stated that the exact figure will become clear after the completion of technical measurement and damage assessment works.

"Our priority was the safety of İnlice Neighborhood"

Karacabey indicated that İnlice Neighborhood, which was in the direction the fire was advancing, was under threat, saying, "We concentrated all our efforts on the safety of our citizens in İnlice Neighborhood. We focused on protecting residential areas. After eliminating the threat over the neighborhood, we continued our fight both aerially and on the ground to protect the forest blocks to the east and west." Karacabey recalled that thanks to the intense efforts of the teams, the fire's energy was significantly reduced around 21:30, and by 23:40 it was largely brought under control, stating, "Thanks to the devoted work of our teams throughout the night, we have now fully brought the fire under control."

"Our greatest consolation is that there have been no casualties"

Karacabey stated that damage assessment studies for the affected areas continue and said that besides forest areas, some non-forest lands were also affected by the fire. He expressed that the fire impacted numerous living creatures along with the trees, adding, "Unfortunately, many living beings were affected by the fire along with our trees. Our greatest consolation is that no adverse event threatening the lives of our citizens, personnel on duty, and other teams occurred."

"Not a single inch of burned forest will be used for other purposes"

Addressing the frequent claims in public discourse after the fires that "burned areas will be opened up for development," Bekir Karacabey clarified, "As has been the case until now, no burned forest area will be used for any other purpose in the future. The greatest guarantee for this is article 169 of our Constitution. All burned forest areas will be reforested." Referring to the large fire that occurred last week in Milas, Karacabey stated that the forested areas burned in both Milas and Fethiye during the autumn period will be replanted after they are rehabilitated, inviting citizens to participate in the reforestation efforts.

"More than 90% of fires are human-caused"

Karacabey drew attention to the fact that the vast majority of forest fires are human-induced, stating, "Looking at the long-term average, more than 90% of fires are human-caused. However, extinguishing a fire is very difficult, while preventing it from starting is very easy. A picnic fire, a cigarette butt not put out, welding work. Even the smallest spark can turn into a large fire under these weather conditions." Calling on citizens, Karacabey emphasized that everyone must act much more cautiously, especially on days with extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds, adding that the protection of forests is only possible with social awareness."