Residential districts in Izmir are impacted by spreading forest fires.
A wildfire is spreading towards Izmir's residential zones, leaving a dense haze of smoke enveloping the Turkish metropolis. Various residential and commercial buildings are being emptied out. Regrettably, some houses have already suffered irreparable damage.
In proximity to Izmir's renowned coastal city, around 3,000 personnel are grappling with the wildfire in fierce gusts. Over 900 people have been evacuated from two affected zones according to Turkey's news agency Anadolu, who cited Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The fire department is relying on five firefighting aerial units, 15 aerial firefighting helicopters, bulldozers, and several heavy-duty machines to combat the blaze. As per a representative from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, around 2,965 personnel with roughly 600 vehicles are engaged in Izmir province, situated along the Aegean coast. The outbreak of the fire happened on Thursday evening, north of Izmir, without a clear cause.
In the industrial zone of Karsiyaka's northern periphery, 30 businesses were scorched by the flames, as reported by Mayor Cemil Tugay on X. A ten-story residential tower also ignited. Footage aired by the state-run TRT showed the building's roof engulfed in flames. The gales propelled the flames from the forest nearby, making it challenging for firefighters to control the blaze. Portions of the roof crumbled, causing damage to parked automobiles.
Previously, homes in other residential areas had been engulfed in flames, noted Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban. At least one village had to be evacuated. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.
City center lurked in smog
Izmir's city center is enveloped in a thick veil of smog. Known as Turkey's third-largest city and popular holiday destinations, particularly the adjacent Aegean beach retreats, are frequently visited.
The fierce winds, reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, forced firefighting operations in Karsiyaka to be temporarily halted on Friday, according to Anadolu's reports.
Since the commencement of summer, Turkey has been grappling with scorching temperatures and forest fires. TRT revealed that, by Friday, forest fires had been reported in at least six cities and provinces, including Canakkale, Manisa, and Bolu. Moreover, neighboring Greece has been battling a major forest fire north of Athens.
The fiery winds fueling the forest fires in Karsiyaka made it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze, causing damage to a ten-story residential tower and nearby parked cars. Due to the spread of forest fires, several cities and provinces in Turkey, including Izmir, have been affected, leading to evacuations and damage to buildings.
