Governor Akbıyık Announced the Latest Situation in Seydikemer Fire: Number of Evacuations Rises to 703

Stating that the fire started around 07:45 in an area outside the forest, Akbıyık expressed that due to strong and shifting winds, the flames quickly spread over a wide area.

"We mobilized all our institutions"

Akbıyık stated that crisis management was initiated at the AFAD Coordination Center within the framework of the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) after the fire started, and that all public institutions were dispatched to the region.

Akbıyık noted:

"We mobilized the resources of all our institutions, primarily our General Directorate of Forestry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Our police, gendarmerie, municipalities, and all our teams are fighting hard in coordination to bring the fire under control."

 "More than 1000 personnel are on duty"

Akbıyık stated that intensive intervention was carried out both from the air and on the ground during the day, noting that 5 planes and 20 helicopters were operating during daylight hours. He pointed out that more than 1000 personnel are on duty in the field, continuing their work with 356 land units, machinery, water tankers, and fire teams in fighting the fire.

703 people evacuated from 6 neighborhoods

Akbıyık said that measures were increased as the fire threatened residential areas and shared the following information:

"We evacuated 703 citizens living in 408 houses in 6 of our neighborhoods as a precaution. Approximately 100 animals belonging to citizens were also relocated to safe areas."

Seydikemer State Hospital evacuated

Governor Akbıyık stated that the Seydikemer-Antalya highway was temporarily closed to traffic for safety reasons due to the fire. He also said that Seydikemer State Hospital was evacuated as a precaution and 45 patients receiving treatment at the hospital were transferred to nearby hospitals.

Nearly 55 structures damaged

Akbıyık stated that approximately 55 structures have been damaged so far, including barns and unused ruined buildings. He noted that damage assessment studies will be carried out after the fire is completely brought under control and that the final damage balance will become clear later.

"Our President is closely monitoring the process"

Governor Akbıyık said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as well as the Interior Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry are closely monitoring the fire process and that regular information is provided about developments. Emphasizing that the biggest difficulty of the fire is the strong wind that frequently changes direction, Akbıyık said the fire's energy has been reduced in the direction of the district center, while teams continue their intensive struggle in other areas.

"The fire continues over a very wide area. The wind constantly changes direction, which makes our efforts difficult. However, the fire's energy has been reduced on the district side. Our fight continues in other areas. Hopefully, we will bring it under control as soon as possible."