Turkey: Authorities evacuate residents in Hatay province due to wildfire October 9

Event

Provincial officials in Hatay governorate evacuated residential areas in Belen and closed several roads after a wildfire broke out in the area on Friday, October 9. A warehouse was damaged by the fire, which also threatened neighborhoods in nearby Iskenderun. The fire was reportedly caused by an explosion at a substation in Belen's Sarimazi neighborhood and spread quickly due to strong winds. Firefighters from neighboring Kahramanmaraş province have been drafted in to help tackle the blaze.

Another fire broke out on Friday in Syria's Latakia province, just over the border from Hatay's Yayladaği district. Firefighters were deployed along the border to stop the spread of the fire.

Further spread of the fires is possible in the near term. An emergency response presence and localized transportation disruptions, namely road closures, should be anticipated in the affected areas.

Advice

Those in the vicinity of the fires are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the area, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities, including evacuation orders.