İzmir, Turkey - August 20, 2024

In a concerted effort to combat the raging forest fires that have spread from non-forest areas into woodland, Turkish authorities are deploying both aerial and ground units in Izmir's Menderes and Bolu's Gerede regions. The fires, which have escalated due to the dry conditions and strong winds, have prompted an urgent response to prevent further spread and damage.

The firefighting operations involve a strategic mix of aerial water drops from helicopters and planes, alongside ground teams working tirelessly to create firebreaks and directly extinguish the flames. The focus is on containing the fires as quickly as possible to minimize the environmental impact and protect nearby communities.

In Izmir, the Menderes region has seen significant fire activity, with the flames threatening to engulf more of the forest. Similarly, in Bolu, the Gerede area has become a focal point for firefighting efforts as the fire has jumped from open fields into forested zones, complicating the containment efforts.

Local authorities have reported that the fires started outside forest areas, possibly due to human negligence or natural causes exacerbated by the current weather conditions. The response has been swift, with the mobilization of all available resources to tackle the blazes.