BİTLİS / DERSİM - The fire, which broke out near the Buzlupınar Rest Area, also spread to the Aqeban region. The forest fire in Dersim, which has entered its 15th day, continues to spread.

 

The fire that broke out at Buzlupınar Rest Area (Ava Weqfê) in Bitlis at 10:00 yesterday cannot be extinguished yet. In the region where the teams of the Regional Directorate of Forestry are sent, citizens are trying to extinguish the fire with their own means. The forest fire grew as the wind increased in the afternoon. Due to the fire that could not be controlled, a large part of the forest area was turned into ashes.

 

While there was an explosion on the high-tension line due to the fire, it was learned that the military base in the forest fire area began to be evacuated.

 

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Bitlis provincial and district organizations also went to the region to intervene to the fire. HDP members participated in the fire extinguishing together with the citizens.

 

Fire spread to Aqeban

 

On the other hand, local sources informed that the fire also spread to the Aqeban region. While the authorities have not intervened in the fire so far, sources stated that there are military bases in the region and that it is an operation area.

 

It was stated that citizens who wanted to go to the region were also blocked by the gendarmerie.

 

Fire grows in Dersim

 

The forest fires that started in Dersim on August 17 continue. A forest fire broke out in the Fırtına Veli Fountain in the Munzur Valley the previous day, after the Roj Stream in the countryside of Hozat district and the Pülümür Valley. Despite the intervention of the residents of the region and the Dersim Municipality teams, the fires still could not be brought under control.

 

The fire, which started in the Munzur Valley, spreads with the effect of the wind. The mountains in the valley were covered with smoke due to the fire, which grew even more with the effect of the wind during the night hours. Today, around 06:00 in the morning, a group of about 60 people went from the city center to the fire area. The members of the group, together with the fire crews, started to respond to the fire by dividing into four teams in groups of 10-15 people. In the morning hours, an aerial fire extinction work was started with one helicopter. Citizens from Hozat also participate in the fire extinguishing efforts.