Latest Situation in Canakkale Fire
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the forest fire in Çanakkale is under control. Yumaklı stated that 7 houses were damaged and the fire was effective on an area of 4 thousand 80 hectares. On the other hand, Yumaklı stated that Çanakkale- Çan highway and the Dardanelles Strait will be opened to transportation. NTV’s Melike Şahin, Erhan Yılmaz and Sinan Kunter reported live from the region.
A forest fire broke out near Damyeri village near the center at around 11.30 pm the previous day for an undetermined reason.
The fire, which spread to a large area in a short time with the effect of the wind, started to be intervened by fire brigades as well as the teams of the Regional Directorate of Forestry and vehicles of other institutions.
Reinforcement teams were dispatched to the region for the fire, which was effective in a large area. As it got dark yesterday, the intervention was terminated with air vehicles other than helicopters with night vision systems. Throughout the night, 4 night vision fire-fighting helicopters and many forestry workers intervened with the flames.
As the weather brightened today, helicopters and airplanes were activated again.
The flames are being fought with 8 airplanes, 28 helicopters, 240 land vehicles, 77 water tankers, 445 vehicles and construction equipment and 3,100 personnel.
11 VILLAGES EVACUATED
After 9 villages were evacuated in the first stage due to the fire, 2 more villages were evacuated as a precautionary measure. However, it was announced that the flames did not pose a risk for these villages.
It was also stated that 5 transformers, 3 villages and 265 subscribers were cut off in the fire zone. While 95 people were affected by smoke in the fire, it was announced that 8 citizens are still being treated.
FIRE UNDER CONTROL
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the fire was under control.
Stating that 48 hours have passed and the flames are under control, Yumaklı said, “Our only consolation is that there was no loss of life. A study was conducted on the area affected by the fire. 4 thousand 80 hectares, including 2 thousand 650 hectares of forest area, are affected.”
Stating that 10 airplanes and 38 helicopters intervened, Yumaklı said, “Our airplanes made 208 sorties. UAVs are our eyes and ears, they are the most important element of our fire fighting. They were in the air for 24 hours. 290 land vehicles were used. 3,174 personnel also fought in the field.”
Yumaklı announced that Çanakkale- Çan highway and the Dardanelles Strait will be opened to transportation.
Commenting on the cause of the fire, Yumaklı said, “The fire broke out on land close to a settlement. Our law enforcement officers are investigating the cause.”
SAD PICTURE
The extent of the fire was revealed at dawn, and the burning areas were photographed by drone. It was seen that the green color turned gray in a large area of the forest.
