“Efforts continue from land, air in Milas, Koycegiz, Bozdogan districts in southwest”

 

Agriculture Minister Bekir Pakdemirli held a press conference in Marmaris, Mugla after a firefighting coordination meeting.

Turkey has gotten under control all the forest fires in the country, except for three blazes in the southwest, said the agriculture and forestry minister on Monday.

"In 53 provinces, we have dealt with 270 forest fires, with 267 now under control," Bekir Pakdemirli told.

The remaining blazes are in the districts of Milas and Koycegiz in the Mugla province and Bozdogan in the Aydin province.

Firefighters have been combatting the blazes for 13 days straight, he said, adding that anyone who wants to volunteer to join the fight can apply online at turkiye.gov.tr.

Damage suffered by 7,735 farmers has been determined across nine provinces, 26 districts, and 180 villages of Turkey, he stated, adding: "About 4,500 beehives were decimated by wildfires in Mugla."

"We will provide free seeds, seedlings, and saplings needed to reestablish plant production areas," Pakdemirli said.

In Mugla, the country’s honeydew hub, Turkey will establish new honey facilities, he pledged, as well as compensate for lost cattle.

As Greece asked for surplus firefighting aircraft from Turkey, Pakdemirli said Turkey would send it two 40-ton Forestry Directorate planes.