Forest fire in western Turkey contained

By Mustafa Ozcan and Serhat Bugra Senkokcu

BALIKESIR, Turkey

A forest fire in western Turkey thought to have been caused by picnickers was brought under control Monday, having blazed through the night, an official said.

Flames destroyed 20 hectares (49 acres) of pine forest in the Mount Ida national park in Balikesir province before being contained by firefighters.

“According to a preliminary determination, the blaze stems from a picnic fire,” Metin Kirci, head of the Balikesir Forest Directorate, said.

Around 200 firefighters tackled the fire near Edremit, as well as seven firefighting helicopters and 16 fire engines.