Turkish gendarmerie, coast guard units join fight against wildfires

ANKARA

Security forces on Tuesday joined Turkish firefighters, locals and volunteers working at full pace to bring wildfires that have ravaged the country’s south for almost a week under control.

According to a statement by Gendarmerie General Command, the paramilitary force has dispatched as many as 2,310 personnel, 317 vehicles and four helicopters to Antalya, Mugla, Isparta, and Denizli, where forest fires are still burning.

The Coast Guard Command said on Twitter that it dispatched 520 personnel, one coast guard corvette, 26 security boats, a diving and rescue squad as well a coast guard helicopter to assist the extinguishing efforts.

The Istanbul police directorate also sent armed water cannon trucks, generally used for riot control, to contribute to the firefighting efforts in Antalya and Mugla.

The Turkish government has said that a vast majority of forest fires have been contained, while at least eight people have been killed since July 28.

After an aerial survey of Isparta, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said air and ground teams are at work "with great devotion" to ensure the fires are put out at the earliest.

All but nine of the 156 fires that threatened towns and cities have been contained, according to Communications Director Fehrettin Altun. "Our institutions continue their work in crisis regions without a pause," he said in a tweet.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has thanked "all the friendly countries and organizations" who have sent their support, wishes and condolences in Turkey's fight against forest fires, expressing their readiness to help and sending aid.

"I hope we will get through this difficult process as soon as possible," he said in a statement.