IZMIR—In response to a request from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijan has deployed the “BE-200CS” amphibious aircraft to assist in combating the forest fires currently ravaging the western part of Izmir Province.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Azerbaijani aircraft will play a crucial role in the firefighting efforts by dropping 12 tons of water on each flight over the affected areas. The deployment follows Erdogan’s direct appeal to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for support due to the severity of the fires. Additionally, the Minister reported that 4,159 people have been evacuated from fire-stricken zones, and the government has allocated financial support to aid the affected local population.

The situation has led to several arrests, as authorities have detained individuals suspected of igniting the fires. “Those responsible for the fires are being identified and handed over to law enforcement,” said Minister Yerlikaya.

Meanwhile, Turkiye’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, highlighted the ongoing challenge with eight active fire fronts across the country. He noted the significant role of aviation in the firefighting efforts, with 7,662 tons of water dropped in just two days. Yumakli also expressed gratitude towards Azerbaijan for the swift deployment of the amphibious aircraft, which landed at Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport on the night of August 18.