A forest fire that broke out near Yamanlar Mountain in the Karşıyaka district of Izmir has rapidly spread, driven by strong winds, reaching as far as the Bayraklı district and approaching residential areas. The fire has caused some parts of the city to be covered in ash, and smoke is visible from many points in Karşıyaka.
Progress of the Fire and Evacuation Orders:
Due to winds reaching speeds of 60 kilometers per hour, the fire spread quickly, making extinguishing efforts difficult. As a result, the Doğançay and Sancaklı neighborhoods were evacuated. In Doğançay, three homes were damaged by the flames. The proximity of the fire to residential areas was confirmed by images shared on social media.
Officials’ Statements:
Bayraklı Mayor urged residents of the Doğançay area to evacuate their homes immediately via a statement on his X account. He noted that the fire, fueled by strong winds, had reached residential areas and emphasized that non-essential vehicles and people should stay away from the area.
Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban stated that the evacuation of affected residents was ongoing. Governor Elban mentioned that the fire started on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in the Yamanlar neighborhood of Karşıyaka, was initially brought under control by Wednesday, August 14, but reignited due to sudden winds on Thursday, August 15, 2024. He also detailed the intense firefighting efforts involving both air and ground teams, with a total of 5 planes, 6 helicopters, 67 fire trucks, 47 water supply vehicles, 8 bulldozers, and 1,950 personnel working to control the fire.
Finally, Governor Elban expressed his well-wishes to the residents of Izmir affected by the fire.
