Forest fire near world-famous Pamukkale travertines; intervention continues

A forest fire erupted in a wooded area of Pamukkale district in Turkey's Denizli province, near the globally renowned Pamukkale travertines. The fire, whose cause is currently undetermined, quickly escalated, prompting an immediate and large-scale response from emergency services. Multiple teams, including the Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, Forest Regional Directorate crews, and support teams from neighboring districts, are engaged in a ground-based firefighting operation. To prevent the fire from spreading across a wide area, aerial support from numerous helicopters and firefighting planes is also actively involved in the efforts. Adding a unique dimension to the response, mounted gendarmerie units have been deployed to assist in the challenging terrain. These units are carrying hoses to steep, difficult-to-access slopes where vehicles struggle to reach, significantly contributing to the firefighters' and forest crews' work. Authorities have established a wide security perimeter, directing citizens to safe areas while gendarmerie personnel support the extinguishing efforts. The teams are working intensely to bring the fire under control, which is being fanned by the wind.