What Happened to the Firefighter in Turkey's Ongoing Forest Fire?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- A firefighter tragically lost his life in Turkey's Bursa province.
- Extreme weather conditions have exacerbated the ongoing forest fires.
- Evacuations are underway, affecting over 1,700 residents.
- Investigations into the cause of the fires are actively being conducted.
- High temperatures are forecasted to continue, complicating firefighting efforts.
Istanbul, July 28 (NationPress) A tragic incident occurred when a firefighter lost his life amidst a raging forest fire in Turkey's northwestern Bursa province, which has been exacerbated by severe weather conditions, stated Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
As per Uraloglu's remarks, the firefighter suffered a heart attack while bravely fighting the flames and later succumbed at a hospital on Sunday, reported Xinhua news agency.
In addition, Sozcu Daily reported that two forest officers experienced carbon monoxide poisoning during the ongoing blaze.
The fire ignited in two separate locations in Bursa on Saturday and swiftly spread to three districts overnight due to extreme heat and powerful winds. On Sunday, temperatures soared to 38 degrees Celsius in Bursa, with predictions of reaching 39 degrees the following day.
The Bursa Governor's Office revealed that 480 households and 1,765 residents were evacuated to ensure their safety. Reports indicate that over 100 hectares of land have already been scorched.
Since June 26, forest fires have erupted in various provinces. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that the public prosecutor has initiated investigations into these incidents. He noted on social media platform X that 21 suspects are in custody, with 10 arrests made and judicial measures imposed on 47 others.
Previously, two significant wildfires in northwestern and northern Turkey prompted mass evacuations, with strong winds driving flames toward residential areas and blocking roads, according to local authorities.
On July 23, a devastating forest fire in Turkey’s central province of Eskisehir resulted in the loss of ten firefighters' lives and injuries to 14 others while they were attempting to extinguish the blaze.
“We mourn the loss of 10 lives, including five forest workers and five Search and Rescue Association volunteers,” stated Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on social media platform X.