Fight Against Forest Fire in Milas Continues: 1120 People Evacuated
In the forest fire that broke out in the Milas district of Muğla, the intensive intervention of the teams continued uninterrupted throughout the night. Due to the fire growing under the effect of the wind, 1120 people staying in hotels and holiday resorts were evacuated as a precaution, while Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık said, “We are fighting with the spirit of mobilization with all our institutions to protect our Green Homeland.”
Efforts are ongoing by teams to control the forest fire that broke out yesterday around 17:03 in the Gürçamlar-Bozbük area of the Milas district in Muğla. Due to strong wind and low humidity, the flames spread over a wide area in a short time. While ground interventions continued throughout the night, aerial vehicles resumed firefighting efforts at dawn.
Coordinated by the Muğla Regional Forestry Directorate, support is provided by AFAD, gendarmerie, police, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, DSİ, municipalities, health teams, thermal power plant teams, and non-governmental organizations.
Governor Akbıyık: “We Mobilized with All Our Institutions”
Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık, who inspected the fire area, stated that all state resources were deployed to the field, saying, “Following the notification of the fire, AFAD, gendarmerie, police, our municipalities, fire teams, and all relevant institutions, especially our Regional Forestry Directorate, were directed to the area. We are fighting with great determination in the spirit of mobilization alongside our citizens to protect our Green Homeland.”
Akbıyık noted that air intervention was made with 12 helicopters and 8 planes during daylight, and ground efforts continued uninterrupted throughout the night, stating, “517 personnel are involved in combating the fire. In the field, there are 62 fire trucks, 29 water tankers, 11 bulldozers, 3 excavators, 6 first intervention vehicles, 4 TOMA (riot control vehicles), and 4 ambulances.”
1120 People Evacuated to Safe Areas
Akbıyık stated that precautionary evacuations were conducted due to the fire approaching residential areas and said, “We evacuated a total of 1120 people as a precaution: 350 citizens in hotels and 770 citizens staying in holiday resorts in the region. The safety of our citizens is our priority. The evacuations were completed without any negative incidents.”
Cause of the Fire Being Investigated
Governor Akbıyık said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, adding, “Our gendarmerie teams continue their investigations into the cause of the fire. There is no confirmed cause at this time.”
Mayor Aras Also Inspected the Area
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras went to the fire area and followed the firefighting efforts on site. The Metropolitan Municipality fire teams worked in coordination with the Regional Forestry Directorate teams throughout the night to prevent the flames from reaching residential areas.
The intensive efforts of the teams continue both from the air and on the ground to control the fire. Authorities requested that citizens refrain from approaching the fire area and heed the warnings of official institutions.
Reporter: Mukaddes Yelin
