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Flights at Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport were temporarily suspended Sunday due to a fast-spreading forest fire in the Gaziemir district, fueled by strong winds and ongoing aerial firefighting operations.
Airport authorities halted all takeoffs and landings at around 4:00 p.m. local time. Some inbound flights were diverted to nearby airports. Operations are expected to resume once the fire is brought under control, officials said.
The blaze began in a landfill near the Beyazevler neighborhood in Gaziemir and quickly spread to an adjacent forested area. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene, including two planes, one helicopter, three water tenders, and a water supply vehicle from the Izmir Regional Directorate of Forestry. Municipal fire brigade units also joined the effort.
Driven by strong winds, the flames extended beyond the forest into the Otokent Car Dealership Complex in the neighboring Buca district. Citizens rushed to the scene to assist in efforts to protect their businesses, with many attempting to move their vehicles out of harm's way.
Police deployed water cannon trucks (TOMAs) to support firefighting operations.
Numerous vehicles were destroyed in the blaze. Authorities closed highway exits in the affected area as a precaution.
Efforts to contain and extinguish the fire remain ongoing..
Meanwhile, Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc announced Sunday that one suspect has been detained in connection with a forest fire that broke out in Izmir’s Buca district.
In a statement posted on social media, Tunc said the suspect allegedly started the fire using gasoline. The arrest followed an investigation launched by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Judicial proceedings have been initiated against the suspect, who is alleged to have set fire to his residence and subsequently caused the forest fire, on charges of ‘deliberately causing a forest fire,’” Tunc said..
He emphasized that investigations into forest fires occurring in various parts of the country are being carried out thoroughly and from multiple angles.
“Those who harm our Green Homeland will not escape accountability before justice,” he added.
He also noted that individuals who start fires with terrorist intent are subject to life imprisonment, along with fines ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 days.
“Lighting fires in unauthorized areas, burning stubble, or discarding cigarettes can result in one to three years in prison and judicial fines,” Tunc warned. “If such acts result in death or injury, additional penalties are imposed.”
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