A forest fire that began on Saturday near the village of Aksungur close to Bursa was put out early Sunday before spreading due to strong winds toward the villages of Göynüklü, Çağrışan and Gündoğdu. Firefighters with around 100 ground and aerial vehicles from Bursa, Kütahya, Yalova, Balıkesir, Bilecik and Kocaeli provinces were sent to the region. The fire destroyed 123 acres of forest and caused the evacuation of two villages before being extinguished. Officials said the cooling process was ongoing with five helicopters continuing to pour water on the burned areas. Bursa Forestry Department Chairman Ahmet Köksal Coşkun said the fire was under control at around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday: "It was one of the biggest forest fires in the past several years. We will continue with the cooling process because we expect strong winds to return." Coşkun said the cause of the fire was being investigated by forestry and gendarmerie officials. "We know it started near the road but don't know the main cause," he said. Authorities said three people who were affected by the smoke were taken to hospital while evacuees were housed in shelters in the city.