In the forest fire that started yesterday evening in the Milas district of Muğla, the extent of the disaster became apparent with the first light of day. While efforts were made to cut off the flames using the backfire method during the continuous ground operations throughout the night, 6 helicopters and 5 planes took to the air again in the early morning hours, beginning to provide aerial support to the extinguishing efforts.
The fire broke out for an as-yet-undetermined reason in the forested area of Kazıklı-Bozbük locality in Gürçamlar Mahallesi. Fueled by the wind, the flames rapidly grew and spread over a wide area throughout the night, reaching the Kaplankaya region, home to luxury villas and hotels. Forest workers and fire brigades dispatched from Milas and surrounding districts fought intensely against the flames all night. A backfire operation was carried out to stop the fire's progression at critical points. With the dawn and the re-engagement of aerial vehicles, the intervention was intensified both from the air and on the ground.
As the fire threatened residential areas, a hotel and a holiday complex were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Approximately 1,120 people were moved to safe zones, and extensive security measures were taken in the region.
In the Kaplankaya region, which the fire reached, extinguishing teams experienced occasional delays in entering the complex due to security reasons. Short-lived arguments also arose when some individuals who wished to participate in the operations as volunteers were not allowed into the area for security reasons.
While 5 of the 6 forest fires that broke out across Muğla yesterday were brought under control, extinguishing efforts for the fire in Milas were further intensified with the first light of day. Investigations by gendarmerie teams are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. - MUĞLA