Wild fires wreak havoc near Fethiye and other areas of Muğla
Wild fires wreak havoc near Fethiye and other areas of Muğla
19 August 2013
published by www.fethiyetimes.com
Turkey — Ten homes had to be evacuated in Ören, near Kemer, Fethiye and another at the Fethiye Municipality rubbish dump near Çıprı, a village on the Fethiye Antalya Road, as a result of wild fires on Saturday evening.
Fire control helicopter over Fethiye, Turkey at Sunset
The incredibly hot, dry Poyraz winds that blow at this time of year from the northeast across the landmass of Anatolia has brought with it the very danger everyone has been dreading. With soaring temperatures, high winds, tinder dry forests and countryside, there have been a spate of wild fires across the province of Muğla.
Last night fires were burning in the Dalaman area and the villages of Ören and Çırpı, near Fethiye. All have wreaked havoc and put animals as well as peoples lives and property at risk.
At the time of writing officials were unable to give any accurate details of the total damage and destruction but initially they did say they were finding it difficult to get the fires under control because of the strong Poyraz winds.
In Dalaman four helicopters, 31 bulldozers, 45 water sprinklers, 14 water tankers, seven rangers, 500 Forest fire fighters and many local residents worked hard to control the blaze.
So far about 250 hectares of forestry land is thought to have already been destroyed but on Sunday morning the fire was still burning.
According to the Muğla Forestry District Manager, Ali Yildirim, the two fires in the Fethiye region started at the same time about 23.00 hours and as a result 10 homes had to be evacuated in Ören, near Kemer and another at the Fethiye Municipality rubbish dump near Çıprı, a village on the Fethiye Antalya Road.
Fire fighters fought the blaze throughout the night but it was only when the winds dropped at sunrise that it became possible to start bringing the flames under control with water dumping helicopters.
At the time of writing is has been reported that 10 hectares of forestry land at Çırpı and up to 60-70 hectares at Ören have been destroyed.
The fire in the Dalaman district was said to have put an animal shelter in Dalaman at risk before the wind changed direction at the last minute.
The Muğla Vali (governor), Mustafa Hakan Güvençer, has been closely following the progress made by the fire fighting teams.
