Forest fires in Çanakkale, area the size of 3,500 football fields burns

A vegetation fire broke out in the village of Kızılkeçili, located in the center of Çanakkale, around 16:30 on July 16. The fire quickly spread to a wide area due to the influence of the wind, posing a threat to nearby settlements. Upon receiving the report, 33 fire trucks, 7 helicopters, and 4 planes from the Çanakkale Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the scene. After nightfall, a night vision-equipped firefighting helicopter intervened throughout the night to combat the raging flames. Villagers also contributed their support with water tankers. With the reinforcement teams from Balıkesir and Bursa, more than 50 fire trucks and over 500 personnel joined the firefighting efforts. The fire, fueled by the wind, spread to the forests of Kemel and Yukarı Okçular villages. As a precautionary measure, the 211-population Kemel village was evacuated. Throughout the night, the firefighting helicopter with night vision continued to fight the flames. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı arrived in the region and inspected the fire from the air. He had received information from Çanakkale Governor İlhami Aktaş and Çanakkale Regional Director of Forestry, Enver. Minister Yumaklı conducted an examination in the areas affected by the fire. The fire was brought under control 52 hours later following the intervention of 9 airplanes, 22 helicopters from the air, and 78 bulldozers, 9 first intervention vehicles, 25 water tankers, and 900 personnel on the ground. In a statement made on his social media account, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, 'The forest fire in Çanakkale has been brought under control. The efforts for extinguishing the fire are ongoing. We remain vigilant for our forests. The support of our esteemed nation strengthens our struggle. Let's stay away from actions that could cause forest fires and protect our green homeland together.' In the forest fires that broke out in Kızılkeçili village, approximately 2,500 hectares of land burned, equivalent to the size of 3,500 football fields. This area includes around 1,200 hectares of productive and degraded forest areas and approximately 1,300 hectares of non-forest land. To bring the fires under control, aerial vehicles conducted 1,800 sorties and dropped 4,900 tons of water. According to the statement from Çanakkale Chamber of Agriculture, the forest fire has affected 141 producers, resulting in damage to 20 cattle, 22 small ruminants, 87 beehives, 29,028 straw bales, 4,100 hay bales, 480 sacks of bran, 28 tons of harvested wheat, and 8 sheepfolds and 7 barns.