Volunteers succeeded in bringing fires under control in Dersim

Despite putting their own life in danger, volunteers worked hard to bring fires under control.

In the end volunteers in Dersim prevailed. The fires started by the Turkish army appear to be under control thanks to the efforts of many people who took things in their hands. 

The fires spread from the Aliboğazı region of Hozat, in Dersim and leapt over to the central countryside before being brought under control by volunteers on Wednesday evening. 

The fires had begun some three weeks ago provoked by the intense bombing carried out by the Turkish army. 

Thousands of hectares were burned down, many wild animals and endemic plant species were destroyed.

Forestry Operations Directorate, Tunceli Governorate, the state-appointed municipality trustee and district municipalities did nothing to extinguish the fires. 

So volunteers took things into their hands and went into the forests themselves with the little resources and means available. 

Despite being a no-go territory, volunteer teams scattered around the region, with high risks to their life, stating that they would not allow the destruction of nature and geography.

Volunteer Haydar Çetinkaya told MA that after 15 days, the fire was fully controlled in Hozat and that volunteers have been working to put under control other fires around the villages.