Fire statement from AFAD: Citizens in 53 settlements were taken to safe zones

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that 5,400 personnel, 119 aircraft and 1,537 land vehicles responded to forest fires in various parts of the country.

"Firefighting continues from air and land"

In a statement made on the Presidency’s social media account, it was stated that the efforts to control, extinguish and cool the forest fires that occurred in various settlements of the country, especially in Karabük, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin, Ankara and Kahramanmaraş, are being carried out intensively and uninterruptedly by all relevant institutions and organizations, especially the Forestry Organization, from the air and on the ground within the scope of the Türkiye Disaster Response Plan (TAMP).

Thousands of personnel are on duty

The statement, which stated that 5,400 personnel, 119 aircraft and 1,537 land vehicles were working within the scope of combating the forest fires in question, noted that AFAD closely followed the process with all its relevant units and teams, carried out the necessary work and procedures in coordination with the General Directorate of Forestry within the scope of TAMP and the National Forest Fire Response Plan, and ensured the coordination of the relevant institutions and organizations.

"Citizens in 53 settlements were taken to safe zones"

In the statement, it was stated that in order to prevent possible risks between July 20-26, citizens in 53 settlements were taken to safe zones due to fires that broke out in 10 provinces, and it was emphasized that citizens returned to their settlements after the fires were extinguished.

In the statement, it was stated that a total of 8,269 small and large cattle were taken to safe zones in the provinces of Afyonkarahisar, Bilecik, Eskişehir, Antalya, Uşak, Sakarya and Karabük, and that damage assessments were made for 56 houses, 4 barns, 9 haylofts and 10 warehouses in Karabük, Sakarya, Bilecik, Antalya, Mersin, Uşak and Kahramanmaraş, and that the necessary support was provided to the affected citizens.

In the statement, which included information about the forest fire that broke out yesterday in the Eymir Lake area of Ankara's Çankaya district, the following was noted:

AFAD President Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan, along with Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin, arrived at the scene to monitor the response efforts on-site and provide coordination support. Thanks to the intensive work of dedicated teams from the air and ground, the fire was brought under control. We wish the heroes of the forest who are fighting to protect our green homeland and all our supporting institutions success, and once again offer our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the citizens affected by the fire.