Forest fire near Göcek in Turkey largely controlled after reaching homes

Firefighters have largely brought under control a forest fire that erupted near Göcek in Turkey's Muğla province on Wednesday. The blaze began around 12:30 PM in the Gökçeovacık area of Fethiye district and quickly spread due to strong winds, approaching residential areas.

Efforts to combat the flames involved 5 helicopters, 3 planes, 15 fire engines, 7 water tankers, 3 bulldozers, and 130 personnel. Approximately 10 houses were evacuated as a precautionary measure, and initial reports indicate that 4 bungalows sustained damage.

The fire reached the İnlice neighborhood, with flames engulfing some homes and explosions heard in certain spots. Authorities initiated an evacuation of homes in the risk zone, moving residents to safety. Firefighting operations were limited to ground crews after dark.

Work continued through the night, and with the support of aerial assets at dawn, efforts to fully extinguish the fire resumed. Helicopters and planes provided crucial support by dropping water on difficult-to-reach areas in the rugged terrain, aiding the ground teams.